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Indium-tin-oxide-free (ITO-free) polymer solar cells with composite electrodes containing current-collecting grids and a semitransparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) conductor are demonstrated. The up-scaling of the length of the solar cell from 1 to 6 cm and the effect of the grid line resistance are explored for a series of devices. Laser-beam-induced current (LBIC) mapping is used for quality control of the devices. A theoretical modeling study is presented that enables the identification of the most rational cell dimension for the grids with different resistances. The performance of ITO-free organic solar cells with different dimensions and different electrode resistances are evaluated for different light intensities. The current generation and electric potential distribution are found to not be uniformly distributed in large-area devices at simulated 1 Sun illumination. The generated current uniformity increases with decreasing light intensities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five different indium-tin-oxide free (ITO-free) polymer solar cell architectures provided by four participating research institutions that all presented a laboratory cell performance sufficient for use in mobile and information and communication technology (ICT) were evaluated based on photovoltaic performance and lifetime tests according to the ISOS protocols. The comparison of the different device architectures was performed using the same active material (P3HT: PCBM) and tested against an ITO-based reference device. The active area was 1 cm2 and rigid glass or flexible polyester substrates were employed. The performance results were corroborated by use of a round robin methodology between the four participating laboratories (DTU/DK, ECN/NL, Frauenhofer ISE/DE, and the Holst Centre/NL), while the lifetime testing experiments were carried out in only one location (DTU). Five different lifetime testing experiments were carried out for a minimum of 1000 h: (1) shelf life (according to ISOS-D-1); (2-3) stability under continuous 1 sun illumination (1000 Wm−2, AM1.5G) at low (37 ± 3°C) and high (80 ± 5°C) temperatures (according to ISOS-L-1 and ISOS-L-2); (4) stability under continuous low-light conditions at 0.1 sun (100 Wm−2, AM1.5G, 32°C) (according to ISOS-LL); (5) continuous illumination (670 Wm−2, AM1.5G) at high temperature (65°C) and high humidity (50% RH) (according to ISOS-L-3). Finally, the upscaling compatibility of these device architectures based on the device photovoltaic behavior, stability and scalability were identified and we confirm that an architecture that presents a high score in only one aspect of the solar cell performance is not sufficient to justify an investment in upscaling. Many will require further technical development. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 944-954, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalable sheet-to-sheet slot die coating processes have been demonstrated for perovskite solar cells and modules. The processes have been developed on 6 in. × 6 in. glass/ITO substrates for two functional layers: the perovskite photo-active layer and the Spiro-OMeTAD hole transport layer. Perovskite solar cells produced using these slot die coating processes demonstrate device performances identical to the spin coated devices. All manufactured devices illustrate a high level of reproducibility. The developed slot die coating processes were also used for the manufacturing of perovskite PV modules. Large area modules of 12.5 × 13.5 cm 2 were realized by slot die coating on 6 in. × 6 in. substrates in combination with newly developed laser ablation processes for conventional P1-P2-P3 monolithic cell interconnections. The modules demonstrate power conversion efficiencies above 10%, with a power output of 1.7 W. This achievement is an important milestone in the development of up-scalable manufacturing technologies for perovskite PV modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ITO-free organic solar cells with ink-jet printed current collecting grids and high conducting PEDOT:PSS as a composite anode are demonstrated. Inkjet printed current collecting grids with different cross-sectional areas have been investigated. The effect of the width and height of the grid lines and busbars has been measured and modeled by direct current (DC) simulations. The electrical potential in devices with different grid profiles have been calculated and reveal critical bottlenecks in the grid electrode geometry, as the ability of the busbar to collect all the current. Experimentally, the upper limit of the conductivity of the ink-jet printed current collecting grids is limited by the topology of the grids and shadow losses in the solar cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]