Organic photovoltaics

Abstract

Organic photovoltaics, the technology to convert sun light into electricity by employing thin films of organic semiconductors, has been the subject of active research over the past 20 years and has received increased interest in recent years by the industrial sector. This technology has the potential to spawn a new generation of low-cost, solar-powered products with thin and flexible form factors. Here, we introduce the energy and environmental science community to the basic concepts of organic photovoltaics and discuss some recent science and engineering results and future challenges.