What is your initial reaction to the words organic photovoltaic solar modules (OPVs)? Do you imagine sheets of some kind of vegetation, moss for example, connected to an electric cable to facilitate drawing off any electricity generated when the plants are exposed to sunlight? This scenario might be something developed in the distant future, but for now, the organic element in solar modules refers to carbon based raw material rather than mineral. OPVs are labelled ‘organic’ because they use a carbon polymer semi-conductor.
Advantages
Traditional crystalline panels and OPVs have a similar layered construction but OPVs use an organic semi- conductor instead of silicon. This difference makes OPVs thinner, semi-transparent, lighter-weight and flexible, enabling them to be installed in a variety of locations unsuited to rigid traditional panels. These special qualities make OPVs one of the most exciting new developments in solar power technology with potential to put them on cars, curved roofs and even windows. Their thin profile makes them more aesthetically pleasing too.
Another major advantage is their recyclability. Our new Labour government pledged in its manifesto to increase solar generation three-fold by 2030. Significant ramping up of solar installations, and the 40+year life span of solar modules means that there will be thousands of waste panels to deal with from 2050 onwards. Currently, crystalline panels are notoriously difficult to recycle into their component parts (although research is looking into new ways all the time). OPVs with their simplified structure will be easier to recycle using existing methods for recycling plastic films and other flexible materials.
Challenges
There are disadvantages to OPVs. The first and major drawback, is their shorter lifespan – crystalline panels are manufacturer warranted to perform for 25 years and will last 40+ years (there are no moving parts so solar modules will still be delivering power at over 80% of their initial nameplate capacity in 40 years times – the only reason to replace or re-power a system will be base upon power density). OPVs in contrast only work efficiently for up to 10 years and their speedy degradation makes them unmarketable now.
The second disadvantage is that OPVs have recorded a maximum efficiency of 18% in controlled studies, compared to 23% for traditional ones operating in real world. It may be a few years before organic panels have the stability and efficiency to make them the choice over traditional ones on the open market.
Use renewable energy now
In the meantime, if you are interested in using solar or other renewables to power your business, then contact Olympus Power who can talk you through all options best suited to your power needs, budget, and location.