OSCs outperform ISCs in three important ways: They are economical and efficient, and don't contain any toxic heavy-metals. Plus, they are flexible and easy to process, making them a great alternative energy source. They are an eco-friendly source of energy. But what about their weaknesses? Here's a quick look. What are the benefits of OSCs? Continue reading to find out more.
Cost of organic solar cells
The cost of organic solar cells depends on their type and their efficiency. They are made from organic materials and have a short payback period. Moreover, these cells do not contain rare earth materials. They can also have a low reflectivity and be transparent. As compared to silicon solar cells, organic solar cells reflect less light. They do have their disadvantages. They are less durable than conventional solar cells and can be damaged by light and air. Their prices are also high.
Organic solar cell use less surface area than silicon. Flexible solar modules allow for this. These modules can be made using a roll to-toll method which is more affordable than traditional methods. They are lightweight and flexible unlike silicon solar cells. This makes them suitable for use on rooftops as well as in portable electronics. Ultimately, the cost of organic solar cells will depend on their efficiency. For now, their manufacturing costs are low, but the technology behind them is still under development.
Organic solar cells have high efficiency
Organic solar cells are a type of photovoltaic material that use the energy of the sun to produce electricity. The sun shines on the material and creates holes in its electronic structure. The electron and its negative charges attract this hole to the acceptor. This separation of the charges is what creates current. Organic solar cells have a lower efficiency than their silicon counterparts, and are therefore less efficient than inorganic ones.
Early devices had low conversion efficiencies because their cathodes were made from metals with low work functions. The problem was solved when an inverted layout was introduced. The result was a device that had an efficiency range of 5 to 15%. This result was identical to Scharber’s. To improve the efficiency, more improvements are needed in organic solar cells.
Non-radiative methods in organic solar cells
Low open-circuit voltage losses have prevented the development and production of organic solar cells. Understanding the physics of non-radiative processes and designing new molecules is key to improving voltage. Organic solar cells first described had a high working function but low photocurrent due to inefficient dissociation excitons. Scientists have discovered two key processes that cause high losses in the open circuit voltage.
The first method uses the detailed balance method. It takes into account the thermodynamics and light in the solar cells. The second method includes specific consideration of CT. It incorporates physics that is specific to OSCs. A DA-based organic cell can be considered to have a high nr of 4V. Nevertheless, the results of the two methods are not necessarily comparable.