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Title: Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture

Abstract

Building-integrated photovoltaics employing transparent photovoltaic cells on window panes provides an opportunity to convert solar energy to electricity rather than generating waste heat. In this work, we demonstrate semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells (ST-OPVs) that utilize a non-fullerene acceptor based near-infrared (NIR) absorbing ternary cell combined with a thin, semitransparent, high conductivity Cu-Ag alloy electrode. A combination of optical outcoupling and anti-reflection coatings leads to enhance visible transmission, while reflecting the NIR back into the cell where it is absorbed. This combination of coatings results in doubling of the light utilization efficiency (LUE), which is equal to the product of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the average photopic transparency compared with a conventional semitransparent cell. A maximum LUE = 3.56 ± 0.11% is achieved for a ST-OPV with a PCE = 8.0 ± 0.2% at 1 sun, reference AM1.5G spectrum. Finally, neutral colored ST-OPVs are also demonstrated, with LUE = 2.56 ± 0.2%, along with Commission Internationale d’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of CIE = (0.337, 0.349) and a color rendering index of CRI = 87.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [1]; ORCiD logo [1]
  1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  2. Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou (China). Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering
  3. Soochow Univ., Suzhou, Jiangsu (China). Inst. of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
1573353
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1566209
Grant/Contract Number:  
EE0008561
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Advanced Materials
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 31; Journal Issue: 40; Journal ID: ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; nonfullerene acceptors; solar cells; transparent electronics

Citation Formats

Li, Yongxi, Ji, Chengang, Qu, Yue, Huang, Xinjing, Hou, Shaocong, Li, Chang‐Zhi, Liao, Liang‐Sheng, Guo, L. Jay, and Forrest, Stephen R. Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1002/adma.201903173.
Li, Yongxi, Ji, Chengang, Qu, Yue, Huang, Xinjing, Hou, Shaocong, Li, Chang‐Zhi, Liao, Liang‐Sheng, Guo, L. Jay, & Forrest, Stephen R. Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201903173
Li, Yongxi, Ji, Chengang, Qu, Yue, Huang, Xinjing, Hou, Shaocong, Li, Chang‐Zhi, Liao, Liang‐Sheng, Guo, L. Jay, and Forrest, Stephen R. Fri . "Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201903173. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1573353.
@article{osti_1573353,
title = {Enhanced Light Utilization in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics Using an Optical Outcoupling Architecture},
author = {Li, Yongxi and Ji, Chengang and Qu, Yue and Huang, Xinjing and Hou, Shaocong and Li, Chang‐Zhi and Liao, Liang‐Sheng and Guo, L. Jay and Forrest, Stephen R.},
abstractNote = {Building-integrated photovoltaics employing transparent photovoltaic cells on window panes provides an opportunity to convert solar energy to electricity rather than generating waste heat. In this work, we demonstrate semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells (ST-OPVs) that utilize a non-fullerene acceptor based near-infrared (NIR) absorbing ternary cell combined with a thin, semitransparent, high conductivity Cu-Ag alloy electrode. A combination of optical outcoupling and anti-reflection coatings leads to enhance visible transmission, while reflecting the NIR back into the cell where it is absorbed. This combination of coatings results in doubling of the light utilization efficiency (LUE), which is equal to the product of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the average photopic transparency compared with a conventional semitransparent cell. A maximum LUE = 3.56 ± 0.11% is achieved for a ST-OPV with a PCE = 8.0 ± 0.2% at 1 sun, reference AM1.5G spectrum. Finally, neutral colored ST-OPVs are also demonstrated, with LUE = 2.56 ± 0.2%, along with Commission Internationale d’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of CIE = (0.337, 0.349) and a color rendering index of CRI = 87.},
doi = {10.1002/adma.201903173},
journal = {Advanced Materials},
number = 40,
volume = 31,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 2019},
month = {Fri Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 2019}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

Graphdiyne Derivative as Multifunctional Solid Additive in Binary Organic Solar Cells with 17.3% Efficiency and High Reproductivity
journal, February 2020