Flex16 Research Project Seeks New Organic Semiconductor Materials for Solar Cells

In the new research project Flex16, Heliatek researchers have set the goal of significantly increasing the efficiency of organic solar films by developing new organic semiconductor materials and new cell designs.

A main goal of research and development in the field of organic photovoltaics (OPV) is to increase efficiency and transfer the results into commercial manufacturing processes and marketable products. The current efficiency of the mass-produced HeliaSol solar films by Heliatek is 8-9%.

Higher efficiencies are an important step in further increasing power generation from the same area, thereby enhancing economic attractiveness for users. Already today, solar films make surfaces usable for solar power generation that cannot be utilized with conventional solar solutions, offering an economically attractive solution for clean and independent electricity for many users.

The Flex16 research project focuses precisely on these potentials:

• Development of new semiconductor materials for OPV solutions: An important step in increasing efficiency is the development of new semiconductor materials that aim to improve the current laboratory efficiencies to exceed 16%.
• Improved cell design: In addition to materials, another focus of the research team is on cell design, specifically on how organic solar cells can be built more efficiently.

The importance of this is demonstrated by the fact that recently, the organic solar films from Heliatek became the first OPV product to meet the stringent requirements of the IEC 61215 standard – the independent and recognized proof of a solar cell’s durability.

The Flex16 research project started on May 1, 2024, and lasts for three years.