Heliatek have announced their R&D teams have achieved a record conversion efficiency of 13.2% for an OPV multi-junction cell, setting a new world record for the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity using organic photovoltaic cells. The measurement was independently confirmed by Fraunhofer CSP.
The Heliatek world-record cell is a multi-junction cell combining three different absorbers. Each absorber is dedicated to efficiently convert green-, red- or near-infrared light of the wavelength range between 450 and 950 nm into electricity. These absorber molecules have been developed and are patented by Heliatek.
Over the past decade Heliatek has demonstrated that by continuously technology development of the company's unique technology approach of using vacuum deposition of small molecules on plastic films it has been possible to raise power conversion from 3% to more than 13%. It also supports its roadmap towards 15% efficient organic solar cells.
Heliatek said that the excellent low light and high temperature behaviour of the organic semiconductor, the electricity generation of the newly developed cells corresponds to the output of conventional solar cells with 16 to 17% efficiency when both are under real world conditions.
The new record efficiency was measured at simulated AM 1.5 illumination and was confirmed by the Fraunhofer - Center for Silizium-Photovoltaik - CSP in Halle, a recognized center for independent verification of solar cell performance results under standard testing conditions.
Dr. Martin Pfeiffer, CTO of Heliatek, said, "We are very proud of this new world record. This success is based on our chemical research for new organic absorber materials. Key to this success is the close cooperation of our physics and chemistry R&D teams, which leads to an optimal combination of the properties of this new solar cell design."
Thibaud Le Séguillon, CEO of Heliatek, said, "I am delighted by this latest result," adds Thibaud Le Séguillon, CEO of Heliatek. "It validates our choice to internalize our R&D, both by developing new absorber molecules and optimizing the device architecture. This will provide the baseline for efficiency in our large-volume manufacturing line. With our HeliaFilm®, we are clearly executing our strategy to provide de-carbonized, de-centralized energy generation directly on buildings all over the world."