New polymers push Solarmer’s OPV efficiency to record 8.13%

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Organic photovoltaics (OPV) developer Solarmer Energy has once again reported record cell efficiencies, certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at 8.13%. In December 2009, Solarmer reported a plastic OPV champion cell of 7.9%. The company noted that going beyond 8% cell efficiencies had been a psychological barrier for the OPV industry. The new record was achieved with new polymers developed that generated higher conversion rates.

Woolas Hsieh, president of Solarmer Energy said, “This confirms OPV technology is on the right course to become a cost-effective and competitive technology. We are very proud to be the first company to surpass this 8% barrier. We would like to expand our partnership with other companies, who have expertise in production technology, packaging, and other areas, to bring OPVs to the market. Our next target is to reach 10% efficiency by the end of 2011.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

PV-Tech reported last year that the company was targeting 10% efficiencies by the end of 2010 with its first full-scale manufacturing line operational in early 2011.

Read Next

July 21, 2026
Norwegian IPP Statkraft has made final investment decisions (FID) in two solar PV projects in Ireland and the UK, combining 131MWp, in the second quarter of 2026.
July 21, 2026
A Brazilian government bill mandating 2.5GW of new gas-fired power plants will increase the curtailment of renewable energy plants by 12%, according to analysis from Aurora Energy Research.
July 21, 2026
Avantus has started commercial operations at its Aratina 1 project in California, which combines 200MW of solar PV and 500MWh of batteries.
July 21, 2026
Listed Chinese PV companies have taken a heavy hit from persistent overcapacity across the industry chain in the first half of 2026, as reflected in their interim performance forecasts.
Premium
July 21, 2026
'Home market strength plus Middle Eastern demand' has driven a surge in solar PV capacity in India, according to RenewAtlas and Wiki-Solar.
Premium
July 21, 2026
PV Tech Premium speaks with Ember's Elisabeth Cremona on the 25GW of hydropower hybridisation potential across seven EU countries.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye