Konarka Technologies Receives Certification for its Organic PV Cells

Konarka Technologies declared that its organic-based photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells have received National Energy Renewable Laboratory (NREL) certification after proving their 8.3% solar conversion efficiency. The certification is received by the company for its large area single-junction solar cells with an external dimension of one square centimeter.

The Power Plastic organic solar cells manufactured by Konarka can either be coated or printed over flexible substrates utilizing a roll-to-roll production technology, similar to the way newspapers print the information. Such printed Power Plastic cells can be utilized in producing a variety of end user products. The tunable type of cell technology utilized in the production process can engage assorted varieties of light wave lengths thus empowering to generate energy from solar power as well as from the light source of an ordinary bulb. The unique feature enables its usage both in outdoor and indoor locations. However the energy efficiency of organic solar cells is way behind the conversion efficiency of rigid type of silicon-based cells such as REC Solar panels with 14.2%, Suntech Pluto panels with 15.7% and new Sanyo HIT panels with 16.7%.

Howard Berke, Konarka’s chairman, CEO and co-founder, said that awarding the NREL certification will enable the company to use the technology for commercial applications in a variety of large scale usages.