A new protocol to enhance flexible solar technology durability

A new protocol to enhance flexible solar technology durability
by Hugo Ritmico
Barcelona, Spain (SPX) Dec 04, 2024

Flexible photovoltaic devices, or FlexPVs, are emerging as key solutions in applications ranging from wearable technology and smart textiles to drones and aerospace systems. Despite significant advancements in efficiency, FlexPVs still face challenges related to the lack of standardized testing protocols for durability and flexibility, hindering their practical adoption.

In response, the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) has led an international team of 23 experts from 12 countries to develop a unified testing protocol for flexible solar cells and panels. The initiative, published in Nature Energy, focuses on mechanical performance, providing consistent metrics for evaluation. "The protocol measures efficiency over 1,000 bending cycles at a voltage of 1%, setting a benchmark for mechanical resistance," explained Lluis F. Marsal, a URV researcher in electronic, electrical, and automatic engineering.

This comprehensive method also assesses environmental factors such as humidity and temperature and incorporates encapsulation techniques to mitigate degradation. The protocol ensures these devices can perform effectively and safely in diverse conditions, enabling their use in applications requiring both flexibility and durability.

The research effort was co-led by Kenjiro Fukuda of the RIKEN Center for Emerging Matter Science in Saitama, Japan, and Osbel Almora, a researcher at URV and administrator of Emerging-PV.org. Marsal, a pioneer in organic solar cell research and leader of the URV Nanoelectronics and Photonic Systems group, also played a critical role in the project.

Expanding FlexPV Potential

Flexible photovoltaic devices distinguish themselves from rigid panels by using materials that allow adaptability to curved surfaces without significant efficiency loss. Their lightweight design makes them ideal for drones, smart clothing, wearable medical devices, and Internet of Things applications. The mechanical properties of FlexPVs enable resilience under extreme conditions, opening doors for use in aerospace and automotive technologies.

This new testing protocol represents the first step toward bridging the gap between photovoltaics and flexible electronics. "The progress of these devices will demand new protocols for testing stabilization, torsion, and adhesion properties, ensuring next-generation flexible solar cells meet future demands," Marsal concluded.

Research Report:A bending test protocol for characterizing the mechanical performance of flexible photovoltaics