Organic photovoltaic cells vs. inorganic photovoltaic cells
When it comes to renewable energy sources, solar power is one of the most promising. Photovoltaic cells are the ones responsible for directly converting sunlight into electricity. There are two main types of photovoltaic cells used in solar panels today: organic and inorganic. In this blog post, we'll provide a comparison of the two, without any bias towards one type or the other.
The basics
Organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) use organic materials to absorb light and generate an electric charge. They are made from small organic molecules, usually carbon-based, and can be produced using low-cost manufacturing methods such as roll-to-roll printing, which makes them cheaper than inorganic photovoltaic cells (IPVs).
On the other hand, inorganic photovoltaic cells (IPVs) use inorganic semiconductors such as silicon to convert sunlight into electricity. They have been around for a much longer time and have a much higher efficiency rate than OPVs. However, this comes at a higher cost to manufacture.
Efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, inorganic photovoltaic cells take the lead. The efficiency rate of modern inorganic solar panels can reach up to 22%, whereas the efficiency rate of organic solar panels ranges from 3% to 15%. While this difference may seem huge, organic solar panels have shown great improvements over the years, thanks to the ongoing research in the field.
Durability
Inorganic photovoltaic cells tend to be more durable than organic ones. Silicon, the most commonly used material, has been proven to have a long lifespan, with some panels lasting up to 25 years. Meanwhile, organic materials have a shorter lifespan of around 5 to 10 years.
Cost
The cost of manufacturing organic photovoltaic cells is much lower than inorganic ones. Since the materials used in OPVs are lower cost and the manufacturing process is simpler, the cost of producing them is significantly less. On the other hand, inorganic photovoltaic cells have a higher production cost, but the potential lifespan of the panels make it a worthwhile investment.
Environmental factors
Both types of photovoltaic cells are relatively environmentally friendly when compared to non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels. However, organic photovoltaic cells do have an advantage as they require less energy to produce and emit fewer greenhouse gases during production.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both organic and inorganic photovoltaic cells have their advantages and disadvantages. Organic photovoltaic cells are cheaper to produce and have a lower environmental impact, but they are less efficient and have a shorter lifespan than inorganic photovoltaic cells. Ultimately, your choice of solar panels would depend on your personal needs and requirements.
References
- "Organic Solar Cells - A Summary of Efficiency Records", National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2020
- "Overview of Inorganic Photovoltaic Cells", Solar Energy International, 2020
- "Organic Solar Technology: Where it is and What’s Holding it Back", AZO Materials, 2019
- "Prospects and challenges of organic photovoltaic cells", Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016.