Germany to Aid Organic Solar Cell Developments

The German government and BASF, Bosch, Merck and Schott launched a project on Wednesday to fund further research and development of organic solar cells.

The government and the companies together will provide about 360 million euros (US$484 million) in the coming years to step up research and develop of the alternative technology.
Organic solar cells are made from special polymers and are more flexible, thinner and lighter than silicon-based cells.

They are transparent and for example could be used to power mobile phones or in building facades and windows.

But such applications require higher cell efficiency, longer product-life and lower production costs to make them worthwhile, which is why further research is needed, the research ministry said.

“The new generation of organic solar cells is not only a contribution to environmental protection in times of climate change. It also has high economic potential,” German Research Minister Annette Schavan said in a statement.

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