Solariton: Solar Energy Generation using Plasmon Cavities on Organic Solar Cells

Solar cell technology is a promising alternative energy source. Present challenges for viable solar technology include decreasing material cost (using thin-film organic polymers), increasing production (using printing processes), and increasing the efficiency. Surface plasmon organic solar cells address these challenges. Surface-plasmons provide confinement in thin-film solar cells and allow for waveguiding which increases the optical path length in the active absorbing medium. The increased path length provides for greater efficiency resulting in an enhanced photocurrent response. The goal of this program is to achieve greater than 10% efficiency in thin film organic solar cells. The Phase I program will prove feasibility through design and simulation of surface-plasmon energy trap configurations which result in an efficiency enhancement greater than 10%. Phase I will include a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration as risk reduction in preparation for Phase II. BENEFIT: Incorporating nanostructures on organic thin film solar cells will allow for increased power conversion efficiency beyond the 10% threshold necessary for commercialization. Successful commercialization of thin-film organic solar cell technology will allow for solar energy harvesting on residential and commercial rooftops. Due to their flexibility, organic solar cells are being considered for insertion into every day objects such as windows and fabric. In this program we will collaborate with Solarmer to increase the efficiency of their organic solar cell technology.