Plastic solar cells???

1. Plastic solar cells??? Ginger Lab – Department of Chemistry, University of Washington – Seattle, WA 98195 www.stanford.edu/group/mcgehee/research.html We want ReallyBig Solar Cells ~3 TW1 (total power) Si ingot7 C&EN / Konarka References: 1: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg3/ar4-wg3-chapter4.pdf 2: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/set_myp_2007-2011_proof_1.pdf 3: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/us.html 4: 30 billion pounds: http://www.the-innovation-group.com/ChemProfiles/Polyethylene-HD.htm 5: given 0.5 mil thickness of “Glad wrap” = ~12.5 microns thick = http://www.glad.com/faqs/plasticwrap.php 6: Circulation data USA Today. 7: http://www.ami.ac.uk/courses/ami4202_mdesign/u02/images/SingleCrystalSiliconIngot.jpg This poster includes work supported by the National Science Foundation (DMR-0120967, DMR-044942, the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, and the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Department of Energy, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program, the Research Corporation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Ginger Research Group (Dept. of Chemistry, University of Washington) also thanks the Center for Nanotechnology at the University of Washington for sponsorship at Shoreline Solarfest 2009. What are the advantages of plastic solar cells? Why do we need LOTS of solar cells? • Easily mass produced (newspapers, plastic wrap) • Plastic is cheaper than silicon, especially for large areas • Printable (onto roadways?) • As shown above, solar cells can provide a direct conversion of energy from the sun into electricity – a form of energy we can use for power. Solar cells are the only renewable energy source that have the capacity to supply the energy to meet growing demand. • If we can cover the square area below with 10% efficient solar cells, we could meet our nation’s current energy needs. • Roadways: • 25% of US highways covered with 10% efficient solar cells = 100% of the nation’s electricity2 (Left) Map of the USA showing the land area we need to cover with 10% efficient solar cells to provide our energy needs. • Daily newspaper circulation6: • Daily Top 10 Papers totals 10 million papers (320 ft2 / paper) • 300 days of newspaper would cover the boxed area • Boxed area: 13,500 mi2 • 10% efficient solar cells would provide 3 TW power every year 3 TW = 250 light bulbs per person [40W bulbs] • Plastic wrap: • North America produces enough polyethylene4 every year5 to cover Arizona 4 times • Rooftop capacity: 18% of total energy20.54 TW = 45 light bulbs per person [40W bulbs] How do solar cells generate electricity? Great! But why aren’t current solar cells cost-competitive on the market? Batteries use stored energy to generate electricity = $$$$ $ $ Energy intensive fabrication Purification $ Is there an alternative to silicon-based solar cells? Solar cells convert sunlight directly into electricity Flexible substrates = $ Plastic thin-film solar cells Reel-to-reel printing