Organic solar cell has record 12% efficiency

The 1.1cm² cell combines two patented absorber materials, which convert light of different wavelengths. The team, working in collaboration with the University of Ulm and TU Dresden, used two different absorber materials to create a stronger absorption of photons and improve energetic utilisation through a higher photovoltage. Dr Martin Pfeiffer, co founder and chief technology officer of Heliatek, said: "Achieving an unprecedented 12% efficiency is a clear validation of Heliatek's choice not to focus on printed polymers but to go with vacuum deposited oligomers. "This technology has been used successfully for oled displays over the last decade. With this well controlled, ultra thin film process we can deposit a large number of layers on top of each other creating tandem, or even triple junction cells, to absorb a broader spectrum of light." The new world record efficiency improves on the prior record of 10.7%, which was also set by Heliatek just nine months ago. The first commercial solar films based on the new technology are expected in 2013.