There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Organic solar cells have the potential to be low-cost and efficient solar energy converters,
with a promising energy balance. They are made from carbon-based semiconductors, which
exhibit favourable light absorption and charge generation properties, and can be manufactured
by low temperature processes such as printing from solvent-based inks, which are compatible
with flexible plastic substrates or even paper. In this review, we will present an
overview of the physical function of organic solar cells, their state-of-the-art performance
and limitations, as well as novel concepts to achieve a better material stability
and higher power conversion efficiencies. We will also briefly review processing and
cost in view of the market potential.