Organic photovoltaic film developed by ARMOR achieves a record 26% efficiency in a low-light environment
ARMOR solar power films SAS, part of French industrial manufacturer ARMOR Group, announced it has achieved a record 26% efficiency in a low-light environment for its ASCA organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell.
This laboratory record efficiency was achieved thanks to the integration of new photoactive materials in collaboration with its Taiwanese partner Raynergy Tek, a specialist in organic semi-conductor materials for OPV.
The low weight, flexible and semi-transparent OPV film developed by ARMOR is effective indoors and in conditions of artificial light due to its high sensitivity to light, and it offers dual functionality.
It can be used, on the one hand, to generate electricity to power connected objects, offering the benefits of extended autonomy, longer useful life, and optimized maintenance, due to the absence of limited-life batteries.
On the other hand, it can be used as a receiver of data transmitted via light in LiFi applications or asset tracking, such as geolocation used in logistics or to track the movement of people.
According to the company this technology is in use at its industrial site in the German town of Kitzingen, to power sensors monitoring ambient temperature and humidity in real-time, an essential function to ensure the quality of production.
In this low-light environment (from 200 lux), the films produce energy from the lighting at the premises, which is then stored to power the sensors, enabling them to operate continuously both day and night. The collected data can be accessed remotely for analysis.
The unique properties of this new photovoltaic technology open up new possibilities in the sectors of construction, mobility, street furniture and connected objects.
Source: Press release by ARMOR solar power films SAS. Photo credit: ARMOR solar power films SAS.
