Three dimensional corrugated organic photovoltaics for building integration; improving the efficiency, oblique angle and diffuse performance of solar cells

Kettle, J., Bristow, N., Sweet, T. K.N., Jenkins, N., dos Reis Benatto, G. A., Jørgensen, M. and Krebs, F. C. (2015) Three dimensional corrugated organic photovoltaics for building integration; improving the efficiency, oblique angle and diffuse performance of solar cells. Energy and Environmental Science, 8(11), pp. 3266-3273. (doi: 10.1039/C5EE02162F)

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Abstract

The lamination of OPV modules to corrugated roof cladding has been undertaken. The 3-dimensional form of the cladding provides three advantages for outdoor OPV deployment; firstly the ‘footprint’ of the solar cell is reduced, which leads to ∼10% improved power conversion (PCE) efficiency per unit area. Secondly, the oblique angle performance is enhanced, leading to increased output in the early morning and evening. Indoor characterisation showed a 9-fold enhancement in efficiency was obtainable, when compared to a flat module. Thirdly, an improvement in performance under diffuse lighting conditions was measured, when compared to a flat module. The average daily yield of the 3D module was 17–29% higher than a flat module, with higher relative enhancements observed on cloudier days. Geographically, the 3D module appears to be well-suited to countries with a high latitude, due to the enhanced diffuse light levels and the fact that tilting the module in both ‘latitude’ and ‘longitude’ directions away from normal, leads to the best achievable enhancement in solar cell performance. The approach set out in this paper could yield a product that has profound advantages over existing BIPV products and is potentially applicable to other flexible inorganic solar cell technologies.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kettle, Professor Jeff
Authors: Kettle, J., Bristow, N., Sweet, T. K.N., Jenkins, N., dos Reis Benatto, G. A., Jørgensen, M., and Krebs, F. C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Energy and Environmental Science
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:1754-5692
ISSN (Online):1754-5706
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Author(s) 2015
First Published:First published in Energy and Environmental Science 8(11):3266-3273
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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