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Thin and light, and set to improve the quality of people's lives ―
Solution conversion type organic photovoltaic
The photovoltaic market is currently valued at 2 to 3 trillion yen and is expected to reach 10 trillion yen in 2010. Photovoltaic cells installed in residential roofing use crystalline silicon semiconductors mounted to a glass substrate, and account for around 90% of the market.
Mitsubishi Chemical, by applying materials and a production technology different to those used for crystalline silicon-type cells, has developed the world's first solution conversion type organic photovoltaic (OPV) .
PV works by integrating p- and n-semiconductors to convert light energy into electricity. The newly developed OPV, however, is produced by adding two coatings of organic compounds to a film substrate―one of benzoporphyrin (BP), which acts as the p- semiconductor, and one of fullerene (FLN), which acts as the n-semiconductor. As this renders glass substrates unnecessary, each layer can be of nanosize thickness, enabling the production of extremely thin, highly flexible and easily bendable photovoltaic cells. This broadens the range of potential applications for OPV. For example, it could be installed on the slate roofs of factories, station buildings or other structures not sufficiently strong to bear heavy PV panels. The flexibility of OPV would also allow it to be affixed to automobiles, and the possibility of mass-production of OPV by rotary press will enable substantial reductions in PV production costs.
PV installed outdoors require high durability. The OPV developed by Mitsubishi Chemical in cooperation with a university research team (the University of Tokyo and Ehime University) has not only excellent conductivity but also superior durability. The surface of the OPV is protected by an airtight barrier film and sealant, ensuring high conversion efficiency and durability. OPV is the result of collaboration throughout Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group: the technology of its component materials draws on collaboration between Mitsubishi Plastics and other Group companies, while the photovoltaic cell system design involves collaboration with Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering.
A key priority going forward will be to further improve photovoltaic conversion efficiency, which is the efficiency with which light is converted to electricity. The development program aims to increase OPV efficiency to 10% during 2011. The current standard conversion efficiency for crystalline silicon-type cells is 15%, and by the time an OPV manufacturing plant begins scheduled full-fledged operation by 2015, it is planned that multilayer semiconductor coating and other technology will have improved OPV conversion efficiency to a similar level of 15%, paving the way for its launch in the PV market.
To prevent delay in entry to the PV market, in which competition continues to intensify, the Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Group is already engaged in a range of business initiatives prior to entry to the OPV market itself.
As part of this effort, we have created a framework for sales of photovoltaic systems to schools, in collaboration with a major photovoltaic maker that has a strong track record in existing crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. The framework was conceived in anticipation of the School New Deal, an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology aimed at carrying out renovations to improve the earthquake resistance and environmental profile of school facilities.
The products are being sold under Mitsubishi Chemical's original brand of gioa. We have also begun developing the market for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) using amorphous silicon. We are confident that, through these and other businesses that we are growing in parallel with our development activities, we will ultimately help to improve the quality of people's lives.
