Outdoor performance of organic photovoltaics: diurnal analysis, dependence on temperature, irradiance, and degradation

Bristow, N. and Kettle, J. (2015) Outdoor performance of organic photovoltaics: diurnal analysis, dependence on temperature, irradiance, and degradation. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 7(1), 013111. (doi: 10.1063/1.4906915)

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Abstract

The outdoor dependence of temperature and diurnal irradiance on inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) module performance has been analysed and benchmarked against monocrystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic technology. This is first such report and it is observed that OPVs exhibit poorer performance under low light conditions, such as overcast days, as a result of inflexion behaviour in the current-voltage curves, which limits the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor. These characteristics can be removed by photo-annealing at higher irradiance levels, which occur diurnally as irradiance increases after sunrise. We also report the first temperature coefficients for OPVs from outdoor data; the OPV modules showed a positive temperature coefficient, which compared to a negative coefficient from the c-Si modules. Overall, the cell degradation outdoors appears very severe for these modules and highlights the need for improved barrier.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kettle, Professor Jeff
Authors: Bristow, N., and Kettle, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Publisher:American Institute of Physics
ISSN:1941-7012
ISSN (Online):1941-7012
Published Online:29 January 2015

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