Advanced design and up-scaling of ITO-free solar cells via all-solution roll-to-roll processing

Summary form only given. Holst Centre has demonstrated unique alternative of ITO electrode based on printed current collecting grids and high conducting PEDOT:PSS layer [1]. Apart from the cost saving aspects, by replacing sputtered and post patterned ITO, it was demonstrated by modeling, and confirmed by experiment, that the individual cell dimensions can be substantially large without reducing cell performance. Optimal dimension of the grids [2,3] and maximum size of the solar cell and the module will be discussed in this talk. Applicability of current collecting grids for different solar cells architectures will be demonstrated [1,4]. The biggest challenge today is the move from lab scale devices to devices manufactured on an industrial level [5]. In Holst Centre we demonstrate successful transfer of knowledge from the lab to industrial prototypes by implementing of roll-to-roll printing and coating methods. Up-scaling of the ITO-free OPV modules via printing and coating will be discussed (Figure 1). The process related issues, such as compatibility of the different layers, decreasing of the interconnection areas and deposition of all layers from solution will be in the focus of this talk. Finally, all-solution processed organic solar cells (modules) obtained via printing and coating methods will be demonstrated. The outcome from these researches is an important step towards large-volume manufacturing of OPV on flexible substrates.