Semitransparent organic solar cells

The organic solar cell technology has attracted great interests due to its potential of low cost solution process capability. Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells offer a potentially much cheaper alternative way to harness solar energy, and can be made flexible and large area. They can also be made translucent and in different colors. A broad range of distinct device technologies based on organic and organic/inorganic hybrid materials are being developed very rapidly, including polymer/fullerene blends, small molecule thin films and hybrid polymer/nanocrystal photovoltaic cells. As a result, the inexpensive fabrication process such as solution-process techniques, mechanical flexibility, light weight and visible-light transmissivity features make organic solar technology attractive for application in new markets such as smart sensors, power generating window panes, building architecture, greenhouses and outdoor lifestyle etc. The development of high performance semitransparent organic solar cells constitutes the next major step in this exciting and fast growing organic photovoltaic field.