Solar cells get organic

Heliatek GmbH announces a plan to make flexible photovoltaic modules using organic, oligomer-based solar cells. The company is working with FHR which has developed a foil coating system to manufacture the solar cells. The modules are expected to weigh 500g/m², compared to the typical weight of 20kg/m² for silicon-based solar cells.

The manufacturing facility is scheduled to be established by mid 2011, and the first solar cells to be produced with the foil coating system are expected to be available at the start of 2012.

"Organic photovoltaic is a new business area for FHR and our roll-to-roll systems," said Reinhard Fendler, managing director of FHR, in a statement issued by Heliatek.

The manufacturing facility is being built in Dresden, Germany, with a floor space of about 1,700m². It provides space for offices, production as well as research.

Formed in 2006 as a spin-off from the Universities of Dresden and Ulm, Heliatek develops organic solar cells from small molecule organic dyes that are chemically synthesized from hydrocarbons. The company raised $27 million late in 2009 to fund its manufacturing plans.

- Peter Clarke
EE Times