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The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) Introduces an Innovative Solar Panel to the Photovoltaic Market, Offering Multiple Benefits for the Solar Energy Sector.
Recently, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) reached an impressive milestone by obtaining its one hundredth patent granted by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The university’s latest innovation is an advanced technique for the production of organic solar cells, with the potential to triple the efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity from a solar panel. This development could represent a significant shift in the photovoltaic market.
Advantage of the New Solar Panel from UFPR
The patented process is applied in the production of a new type of solar energy panel that is made up of thin and flexible films, developed layer by layer like a print. In the production, semiconductor polymers, which give the name to the cells for being organic compounds, are evaporated and fixate on a substrate, forming a quite flexible and semitransparent material.
One of the main advantages of these cells for the photovoltaic market lies in the way they are produced, which occurs in roll-to-roll printers, allowing the production of kilometers of cells per month on flexible substrates.
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Unlike a conventional solar panel, this innovation from UFPR is much more versatile, depending much less on the angle of sunlight incidence, using lighter support structures and can be applied in various ways, such as in urban furniture, building facades, greenhouses, and even in backpacks and jackets.
Professor of the Department of Physics at UFPR, Lucimara Stolz Roman, who coordinated the study that led to the solar energy panel patent, explains that producing this type of material for the photovoltaic market is quite challenging.
The film is formed through the evaporation of a solution containing several semiconductor materials. Depending on how the material dries and the thermal treatment applied, the film will have a different morphology, which can alter its optical and electrical properties, impacting energy generation.
New Solar Panel from UFPR Will Also Be Cheaper
The patented process describes a new way of making the film for the solar energy panel, developed during research with this type of material at the UFPR NanoStructured Devices Group (DiNE). The new technique allows for a new reaction to take place through thermal treatment after the film dries, making it more stable and durable.
The UFPR process for the photovoltaic market has also improved the efficiency in converting light to electricity. According to the researcher, in the system evidenced as proof of concept in the patent letter, the organic solar cell tripled its light conversion efficiency with this step.
The main disadvantage of the organic solar panel lies in its durability and efficiency, which are lower than conventional ones. The new patented method is an example of how research is addressing these issues.
In the near future, organic solar cells should be cheaper, more durable, and efficient, making solar energy much more accessible. This technology is under development and in this aspect, it is very gratifying to be working towards the cells of the present and future, according to Roman.
New Solar Panel May Soon Reach the Photovoltaic Market
According to Pedro Henrique Gonzalez de Cademartori, director of the Innovation Agency, the entire patent process begins with an idea, generally based on a research project involving the generation of a product or process that may be an invention or a model of utility.
With the patent in hand, the solar energy panel is ready to be transferred to society. In addition to the 100th patent, we already have the 101st patent from UFPR, named Constructive Disposition of Multi-Functional Systemic Environment for Transport Modals Interior.
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