Roll-to-roll printed solar cell hits 9% efficiency, 88% production yield

Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany have achieved a significant advancement in printed solar cell technology by developing roll-to-roll printed organic solar cells with a record efficiency of 9% and a production yield exceeding 88%. This marks a substantial improvement from their initial 2011 prototype, which had only 1.7% efficiency and limited durability. The new solar cells use a polymer blend (PM6:Y12) embedded within multiple functional layers printed sequentially using conductive inks, enabling rapid, low-cost, and energy-efficient manufacturing on flexible substrates like paper or plastic. This breakthrough is part of the DFG-funded “POPULAR” research group focused on printed and stable organic photovoltaics. The team is currently conducting accelerated aging tests to understand performance degradation and optimize future designs. The roll-to-roll printing process offers a scalable alternative to traditional silicon solar panels, which require energy-intensive production. Potential applications include large-area, flexible solar films for agricultural shading systems that generate power while protecting crops, highlighting the technology’s