Scalable semitransparent prototype organic photovoltaic module with minimal resistance loss

Abstract

Semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (ST-OPV) cells are regarded as an attractive solution to building-integrated solar energy harvesting. Both the power conversion efficiency ( PCE ) and average photopic transmission ( APT ) of ST-OPVs have shown substantial increases in recent years. However, less attention has been paid to the area scaling of ST-OPV cells. In this work, we investigate the scalability of ST-OPV cells from 4 mm 2 to 1 cm 2 , as well as 9 cm 2 active area prototype module. By integrating both top and bottom metal grids onto the transparent electrodes, the series resistance loss of 1 cm 2 ST-OPV cell is significantly reduced, and is comparable to that of the grid-free 4 mm 2 cell. Nine 1 cm 2 cells are then connected in a series-parallel circuit to realize a prototype ST-OPV module. A 100% fabrication yield with only 5% PCE deviation among discrete cells is achieved. The semitransparent module shows PCE = 7.2 ± 0.1% under simulated AM 1.5G illumination at 1 sun intensity, which exhibits no connection resistance loss compared to that of the individual cells. The ST-OPV module exhibits an APT = 38.1 ± 1.1%, which enables a light utilization efficiency, LUE = 2.74 ± 0.09%. The method demonstrates a promising way for ST-OPV modules to scale without compromising performance. • Semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells are scaled from 4 mm 2 to 1 cm 2 employing metal grids without loss of performance. • The 9 cm 2 active area prototype modules have 100% cell yield and with performance comparable to that of 4 mm 2 cells. • The module shows PCE = 7.2%, an average photopic transparency of 38.1%, enabling a light utilization efficiency of 2.74%. • The method demonstrates a promising path for scaling to modules without compromising performance.