Organic Photovoltaics Nearing Mass Production

Organic Photovoltaics

Bags, Backpacks, Smart Textiles, Umbrellas, Awnings, Tents, Building Façades – Organic photovoltaics (OPV)

Bags, Backpacks, Smart Textiles, Umbrellas, Awnings, Tents, Building Façades – Organic photovoltaics (OPV) is an innovative solar cell technology based on conductive plastic materials such as polymers. Current trends and the latest developments in this field will be on display at LOPE-C in Frankfurt, Germany from May 31 – June 2, 2010.

OPV devices are fabricated by ultra low-cost, roll-to-roll printing techniques. They are formed by layering extremely thin, photo-active coatings on lightweight, flexible carrier substrates, which are organic in nature as well. OPV is one of the most dynamic, rapidly developing technology segments pertaining to renewable, or green, energy. Despite the current upheaval in world financial markets, OPV continues to gain in economic importance and make steady technical progress. Various OPV technologies are being developed in industrial and academic research cooperatives and project-based partnerships. At this time, OPV is well on its way to broad commercialization, as first products are available on consumer markets. By heavily investing in manufacturing capacity, the OPV industry is gearing up for mass production of a new kind of low-cost, organic and printed micro-electronics.