Technical Seminar Report

19EC6SRTSR

On

“Sustainable Use Of Solar Energy via Infrared

Plastic Solar Cells”
Submitted in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree
Of
Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication

Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum

Submitted By:

Akshay Prakash 1BM20EC014

Academic Year
2022-2023

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bangalore

BMS College of Engineering
Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore-560019
(Autonomous college affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum)

1
 2022-23 Technical Seminar 19EC6SRTSR

DECLARATION

I, Akshay Prakash– 1BM20EC014 , student of 6th semester B.E in Electronics and Communication
Engineering, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, hereby declare that the Technical Seminar
Report entitled “Sustainable Use Of Solar Energy via Infrared Plastic Solar Cells”, in partial fulfilment
for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication engineering from BMS
College of Engineering, Bangalore, for the academic year 2022-23, to the best of my knowledge and
belief has not been submitted for the award of any other degree on earlier occasion byany student.

Place: Bangalore
Date: 14/06/2023

Signature of the Student

BMS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 2

 2022-23 Technical Seminar 19EC6SRTSR

(Autonomous College under VTU)

Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that that the technical seminar entitled, “Sustainable Use Of Solar Energy via
Infrared Plastic Solar Cells”

is a bona-fide work carried out by Mr. Akshay Prakash (1BM20EC014), in partial fulfilment for

the award of degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication during the academic

year 2022-23. This seminar report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in

respect of technical seminar prescribed for the said degree.

Dr. Siddappaji Dr. Muralidhara S

HoD, Dept. of ECE Principal, BMSCE

External Examiners: Signature with Date

1.

2.

BMS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 3

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Any achievement, be it scholastic or otherwise does not depend solely on the individual efforts but on
the guidance, encouragement and cooperation of intellectuals, elders and friends. A number of
personalities, in their own capacities have helped me in carrying out this project work. I would like to
take this opportunity to thank them all.

I express my profound gratitude to respected principal Dr. B.V. Ravishankar, BMS College of
Engineering for providing a congenial environment to work in. Our sincere gratitude to Dr.
Siddappaji, Head of the Department, Electronics and Communication Engineering along with the
entire Department for encouraging me and providing me this opportunity to carry out the project in
the department.

Last but not the least I would like to thank myfamily and friends, who made their valuable support
compelling me to maintain a standard throughout my endeavor.

Akshay Prakash – 1BM20EC014

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ABSTRACT 7
2. PROBLEM DEFINITION 8
3. PROPOSED SOLUTION 9
4. LITERATURE SURVEY & BASE PAPER 10-11
5. INTRODUCTION 12
5.1. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY 12
5.2. WORKING OF CONVENTIONAL SOLAR CELL 13-14
6. INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR CELL 15
6.1. WORKING OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELL 16-17
6.2 IMPROVEMENTS 18
7. APPLICATIONS 19
8. ADVANTAGES 20
9. DISADVANTAGES 21
10. PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS MARKET OUTLOOK- 2026 22
10.1 PLASTIC SOLAR CELL MARKET BY TYPE 22
10.2 PLASTIC SOLAR CELL MARKET BY APPLICTION 23
11. FUTURE SCOPE OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS 24
12. CONCLUSION 25
13. REFERENCES 26
14. PLAGIARISM REPORT 27
15. REMARKS 28

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 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NAME
NUMBER

1. Conventional Solar Cell

2. Venn Diagram Overview of

Nanotechnology

3. Working of Solar Photovoltaic Cell

4. Depiction of Solar Energy Absorption

5. Nanomaterials Used Within Solar Cell

6. Illustration Of Plastic Solar Cell

7. Plastic Solar Cell Market

8. Solar Cell Market Trends

9. Applications and Market Trends of

Plastic Solar Cells

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 1. ABSTRACT

The invention of solar energy solved many issues related to fossil fuel depletion. Infrared plastic solar
cells represent a promising technology for harnessing solar energy in the IR region. Through strategic
material design, morphology control, device architecture optimization, and interface engineering,
significant progress has been made in improving their performance.

Nanotechnology is the engineering of tiny machines and it can be summed up in brief as follows:
The projected ability to build things from the ground up using techniques and tools that are currently
being developed to create complete, highly advanced products. As the pool of available resource
depletes, the demand for resources that are both long-lasting and environmentally friendly grows by the
day. Solar energyis one such example.

However, traditional solar cells used to harvest solar energy are less efficient and cannot function properly
On a cloudy day. The use of nanotechnology in solar cells provided an opportunity to overcome this issue,
increasing efficiency. This paper discusses a branch of nanotechnology's advancement, its application in
solar cells, and its advantages over conventional commercial solar cells.

Fig 1. Conventional Solar Cell

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 2. PROBLEM DEFINITION

Current and primitive methods of electricity generation were harmful to the environment, and
provided quite a few drawbacks. Electricity produced by conventional means gives rise to a lot
of emissions and greenhouse gases. Approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions are emitted
from electricity generation through the combustion of fossil fuels to generate heat needed to
power steam turbines. Burning of such fuels releases carbon dioxide into the environment, which
is the primary heat-trapping, “greenhouse gas” responsible for global warming.

Fossil fuel combustion releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate
matter into the air, contributing to air pollution. These pollutants have detrimental effects on
human health, leading to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other adverse health
impacts. Additionally, they contribute to smog formation and poor air quality, affecting both
urban and rural areas.

The above mentioned are the major reasons for the depletion of the ozone layer,
along with the release of chlorofluorocarbons(CFC’S).

Within Solar Cell Technology itself, certain problems arise, such as:

• Efficiency: Solar cell technologies have limitations in converting sunlight into electricity
efficiently, requiring further improvement.

• Cost: Solar panels still have relatively high manufacturing and installation costs, hindering
widespread adoption.

• Energy Storage: Developing efficient and cost-effective energy storage solutions is necessary to
overcome the intermittent nature of solar energy.

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 3. PROPOSED SOLUTION:

The proposed solution for sustainability is ‘Plastic Solar Cells.’ Solar energy is radiant light and
heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar
heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, molten salt power plants and
artificial photosynthesis.

Solar cell technology offers solutions to current problems by providing renewable and clean
energy. By harnessing sunlight, solar cells generate electricity without producing harmful
emissions or contributing to air pollution. This helps mitigate climate change by reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and displacing the use of fossil fuels. Solar power promotes energy
independence, allowing individuals and communities to generate their own electricity and
reducing reliance on centralized energy systems. The decreasing cost of solar panels makes solar
energy more affordable and cost-competitive with traditional sources, enabling long-term cost
savings for consumers.

Within solar cell technology, following problems are addressed:

o Cost-effectiveness: Made from low-cost organic materials, they reduce the overall
cost of solar energy generation.

o Flexibility and Lightweight: They can be fabricated on flexible substrates, enabling

integration into various applications and simplifying installation, thereby making the
implementation and general usage much more convenient.

o Environmental Impact: Organic materials have a lower environmental impact during

production, generate fewer emissions, and are more easily recyclable.

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 4. LITERATURE SURVEY

Triggered by the outstanding worldwide growth of the photovoltaic market as well as by the
need of alternative energy sources in future, organic solar cells are the object of vivid interest
from both industrial and academic sides. Based on the semiconducting properties of organic
conjugated macromolecules, these devices possess the potential to be processed by common
printing techniques. [1]

The expansion trend of the photovoltaic (PV) industry as one of the mostpromising renewable
energy sources was exhibited in the last five years by a module production growth of 30% annually,
reaching a volume of 560 MW in 2002. This sector represented in the same year an overall market
estimated at about $3.5 billion. Most Japanese, U.S., and European road maps seem to agree on
one point: this tendency is expected to last at least for the next 30 years to come[1].

This statement implies that the installed capacity of solar energy may grow the same way.[1] The
sharp rise in societal interest in carbon neutral, green energy technology in the 21st century has
spurred a commensurate rise in research into OPV materials. We focus on two broad
categories of OPV devices, ‘plastic’ solar cells comprising a conjugated polymer and a fullerene
acceptor and hybrid organic–inorganic solar cells that blend inorganic semiconductors into
organic materials, and the basic principles of designing and understanding new materials and
devices. For brevity, we omit small-molecule OPV devices, which are functionally nearly
equivalent to polymer-based devices, and direct the reader to recent publications on this topic. [2]

Indeed, their light weight, mechanical flexibility, and semi-transparency open new opportunities
for PV cell design. Moreover, most conjugated polymers possess a processing advantage: they are
soluble in common organic solvents and hence can be deposited by simple solution processing
and printing technologies. Thus, their production can be much easier and consequently much less
costly than the inorganic semiconductor devices. Thin films on flexible or non flexible substrates
are achievable by well-known and widespread printing methods like screen-, ink-jet-, offset-, or
flexo printing. More than 85% of the current world production of PV cells involve crystalline
silicon. Nevertheless, after several years of intensive research and development, a new generation
of devices is in transition from pilot to large-scale production. [3]

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 BASE PAPER DETAILS

The base paper used within this project is as follows :

Prit Paul Singh et al., “Design & Simulation of Infrared Plastic Solar Cells” in JETIR, April 2019 edition,
Volume 6, Issue 4, www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162).

The following paper lists an extensive number of features which have been dutifully included within this
project, which is summarized in the abstract as shown:

Photovoltaic electricity is considered as an alternative to the actual ways of producing electricity for its
different advantages. Its friendly impact on the environment and projected low cost makes it an attractive
substitute. The plastic photovoltaic technology has been developing in recent years with a need to improve
yield efficiency to end-up taking an important place in the world market.

Different plastic photovoltaic solar cells have been fabricated recently using a variety of designs including
small molecules, polymers or hybrid materials Device design and deposition conditions of a-Si/a-SiGe/a-
SiGe triple-junction solar cells were studied. To optimize their device structure, we applied several
technologies such as a-Si0:H window p-layer for top cell, low temperature deposited pc-Si p-layer for
middle bottom cells and hydrogen-dilution technique for a Si Ge: H i-layers.

As a result, we obtained l cm2 cell with 11 % stabilized efficiency. We found out effective deposition
parameters such as increasing both hydrogen-dilution ratio and RF-power for Ge/Si > 0.5. In addition, we
presented newly designed apparatus for the triple-junction 40cm x 80cm solar cells .

Solar cells are made with layers of different materials, each with a specific function. One layer absorbs the
light, another helps to generate the electricity, and others for taking electricity out of the device [2]. The
photocurrent generation in the infrared plastic solar cell involves four steps: (i) Absorption of light by the
primary layer, resulting in creation of charges, (ii) Disassociation of charges at the interface of donor/acceptor
electrons and formation of free charges, (iii) Transport of the charges under an electric field,and (iv) Charge
collection by electrodes

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 5. INTRODUCTION

5.1. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

Nanotechnology encompasses chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, materials science,

molecular biology, and computer science, among other disciplines. To keep integrated circuits
miniaturized long into the twenty-first century, current micro-scale or nano electronic system
designs are likely to be replaced with new designs that take advantage of quantum mechanical
effects that dominate on the much smaller, nanometer scale. Nanotechnology is sometimes
referred to as "universal technology." That's because, once fully developed, it will have a huge

Fig 2. Venn Diagram Overview of Nanotechnology

effect on almost every industry and aspect of society. It provides higher-quality construction. For
centuries, longer-lasting, healthier, safer, and smarter items have been developed for the home,
ammunition, medicine, and industry. Solar cells have taken advantage of nanotechnology's
properties. Solar energy is a plentiful, sustainable, and pollution-free resource. This type of energy
has a wide range of uses, from small household products such as calculators to larger items such
as two-wheelers and automobiles. They both use a solar cell to convert the energy from the sun
into the appropriate shape.

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 5.2. WORKING OF CONVENTIONAL SOLAR CELL:

Essentially, conventional solar cells Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made of special materials known
as semiconductors, the most common of which is silicon. Simply put, when light strikes the cell,
a portion of it is absorbed by the semiconductor material. This means that the absorbed light's
energy is transferred to the semiconductor. Electrons are knocked loose by the energy, allowing
them to flow freely. PV cells all have one or more electric fields that act to force electrons liberated
by light absorption to flow in a particular direction.

This flow of electrons is a current, and we can extract that current by placing metal contacts on the
top and bottom of the PV cell. The current, for example, can power a calculator. The power (or
wattage) that a solar cell can produce is defined by the current and the voltage of the cell (which
is a result of the cell's built-in electric field or fields). Polycrystalline silicon or, for the highest
efficiency, crystalline gallium arsenide is used to make conventional semiconductor solar cells.

However, it has been discovered that only 35% of the sun's total energy falling on it can be used
wisely by this type of solar cell. This is also unfavourable on cloudy days, posing a problem. This
significant disadvantage prompted the idea of developing a new type of solar cell infused with
nanotechnology. The procedure is nearly identical to what was previously described. The
fundamental difference, however, is in the absorption of the wavelength of light from the sun.

The efficiency of a solar cell depends on various factors. One crucial factor is the semiconductor material used
in the solar cell. Different materials have different bandgaps, which determine their ability to absorband
convert different wavelengths of light into electricity. The design and structure of the solar cell also play a role
in optimizing light absorption and minimizing energy losses due to recombination of electron-hole pairs.
External factors such as sunlight intensity, temperature, and shading can impact efficiency as well.
Additionally, advancements in manufacturing techniques, including thin-film deposition, surface passivation,
and anti-reflection coatings, contribute to improving the efficiency of solar cells and making sure there is
maximum utilization of the received solar energy.

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The diagram below depicts the conventional working of a solar photovoltaic cell, and all the components that constitute the
working and usage of this device

Fig 3. Working Of Solar Photovoltaic Cell

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 6. INFRARED PLASTIC SOLAR CELL
Even on a cloudy day, researchers have developed a plastic solar cell that can convert the sun's
energy into electric energy. Solar cells made out of plastic are not new. Present materials, on the
other hand, can only capture visible light from the sun. The visible spectrum contains half of the
sun's intensity, while the infrared spectrum contains the other half. The new material is the first
plastic compound capable of capturing infrared light. Heat is emitted by every warm body. And
when it is dark outside, this heat is released by man and animals.
The plastic material is made with nanotechnology and includes the first-generation solar cells,
which can capture the sun's infrared rays. We anticipate that plastic solar cells will become more
efficient than current solar cells in the future. The plastic that can detect energy in the infrared was
obtained by combining specially shaped nanomaterials called quantum dots with a polymer.

Fig 4. Depiction Of Solar Energy Absorption

With further advancements, the new PLASTIC SOLAR CELL could allow for the complete
capture of up to 30% of the sun's radiant energy, compared to just 6% in today's best plastic solar
cells.
Solar farms could capture a sizable percentage of the sun's energy and use it to meet all of our
energy needs. This could supplant other sources of electricity generation that emit greenhouse
gases, such as coal.
The amount of solar energy that reaches the planet is ten thousand times greater than what we
absorb. If solar farms could cover 0.1 percent of the earth's surface, we could replace all of our
energy habits with a clean, sustainable source of energy. Hence it is the need of the hour to
implement them in a time efficient and clever manner.

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6.1. WORKING OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELL:
The solar cell developed is a hybrid, consisting of tiny nanorods distributed in an organic polymer
or plastic. A 200 nanometer-thick layer sandwiched between electrodes can currently generate
about.7 volts. The electrode layers and nanorods/polymer layers could be added separately,
streamlining processing. Plastic solar cells, unlike today's semiconductor-based photovoltaic
devices, can be made in solution in a beaker without the use of clean rooms or vacuum chambers.

Fig 5. Nanomaterial used within solar cell

The technology takes advantage of recent advances in nanotechnology, notably

nanocrystal and nanorod development. Chemically pure clusters of 100 to 100000 atoms with
dimensions on the order of a nanometer (a billionth of a meter) have been uncovered. They exhibit
peculiar and fascinating quantum mechanics-governed properties, such as the absorption ofvarious
colours of light depending on their size, due to their small size. Cadmium selenide, a
semiconducting material, was used to make nanorods of a consistent scale. Nanorods are made in
a cadmium selenide beaker with the objective of building rods with a diameter of 7 nanometers
that absorb as much light as possible. Nanorods with a length of 60 nanometers are possible. The
nanorods are then combined with p3ht-poly-(3-hexylthiophene), a plastic semiconductor, and a
transparent electrode is coated with the mixture. A thousandth the thickness of a human hair, 200
nanometers, is a factor of ten less than the micron thickness of semiconductor solar cells. The
system was equipped with an aluminum coating that operated as the back electrode. The nanorods

16
have the appearance of wires. They produce an electron plus an electron hole—a void in the crystal
that passes around like an electron—when they absorb light of a certain wavelength. The electron
moves the length of the rod until it reaches the aluminum electrode, which collects it. The hole is
passed to the plastic, which is alluded to as a hole-carrier, and then transmitted to the electrode,
resulting in the production of current.

Fig 6. An Illustration Of Solar Cell Absorption

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6.2 IMPROVEMENTS:

1. Broadband Absorption: Infrared plastic solar cells are designed to have a broader absorption range,
allowing them to capture a larger portion of the solar spectrum compared to conventional solar cells.
They can efficiently convert not only visible light but also infrared radiation into electricity. This
expanded absorption range enables them to generate power even in low-light or indirect sunlight
conditions.

2. Flexibility and Lightweight: Infrared plastic solar cells are typically made using flexible and
lightweight organic materials. This flexibility allows for their integration into a wide range of
applications, including curved surfaces and flexible electronics. Their lightweight nature reduces the
structural requirements and enables easy installation, making them suitable for portable and
lightweight solar power solutions.

3. Cost-Effectiveness: The manufacturing process for infrared plastic solar cells is often simpler and
more cost-effective compared to conventional solar cells. Organic materials used in their production
can be processed at lower temperatures and with less energy-intensive techniques, resulting in
reduced manufacturing costs. Additionally, their flexibility allows for roll-to-roll processing,
enabling high-throughput production and further cost savings.

In addition to the aforementioned points, some more of the improvements mainly focusing on the
nanotechnology scale are as follows :

1. A few of the obvious improvements include better light collection and concentration, which
already are employed in commercial solar cells.

2. Significant improvements can be made in the plastic nanorods mix, too, ideally packing
the nanorods closer together, perpendicular to the electrodes, using minimal polymer, or
even none-the nanorods would transfer their electrons more directly to the electrode.

3. In their first-generation solar cells, the nanorods are jumbled up in the polymer, resulting
in current losses via electron-hole recombination and thus lower efficiency.

4. They also hope to tune the nanorods to absorb different colours, enabling them to absorb
the entire spectrum of sunlight.

5. A solar cell will eventually have three layers, each made of nanorods that absorb at different
wavelengths.

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 7. APPLICATIONS

1. Indoor Energy Harvesting: Infrared plastic solar cells are particularly effective at capturing low-light
and indoor lighting conditions. They can be employed to harvest energy from ambient sources in
indoor environments, such as offices, shopping malls, and homes. This energy can be used to power
low-power devices like wireless sensors, smart gadgets, or small-scale electronics without relying on
traditional power sources.

2. Wearable Electronics: The flexibility and lightweight nature of infrared plastic solar cells make them
suitable for integration into wearable electronics. They can be embedded in clothing, accessories, or
wearable devices, harnessing solar energy to power various functionalities like health monitoring,
communication, or activity tracking. This enables sustainable and self-sufficient power solutions for
wearable technology.

3. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices: The increasing prevalence of IoT devices in various domains
necessitates sustainable and long-lasting power sources. Infrared plastic solar cells can be employed
to power IoT devices such as wireless sensors, smart home systems, environmental monitoring
devices, or asset tracking devices. By utilizing solar energy, these devices can operate autonomously
and reduce reliance on conventional batteries or wired power sources.

4. Portable Electronics and Charging Solutions: Infrared plastic solar cells can be integrated into
portable electronics like smartphones, tablets, or chargers. They provide an additional powersource,
allowing users to charge their devices on the go using solar energy. This promotes energy
independence, especially in remote areas or during outdoor activities.

5. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Infrared plastic solar cells can be integrated into building
materials, such as windows, façades, or roofs, as part of building-integrated photovoltaic systems.
Their flexibility and semi-transparency enable their seamless incorporation into architectural designs,
converting sunlight into electricity while maintaining the aesthetics of the building. This integration
facilitates sustainable energy generation and reduces the overall energy demand of buildings.
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 8. ADVANTAGES

Plastic solar cells will be extremely useful in the future. This is due to the numerous
advantages it possesses. Some of the major benefits include:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: The manufacturing process for infrared solar plastic cells is often
simpler and more cost-effective compared to conventional solar cells. Organic
materials used in their production can be processed at lower temperatures and with
less energy-intensive techniques, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs. Their
flexibility also enables roll-to-roll processing, allowing for high-throughput
production and further cost savings.

2. Durability and Robustness: Infrared solar plastic cells exhibit good mechanical
durability, making them resistant to cracking or damage during handling or in harsh
environmental conditions. They can also exhibit good resistance to temperature
variations and UV degradation, making them suitable for outdoor applications.

3. Versatility and Integration Potential: The flexible nature of infrared solar plastic cells
opens up possibilities for their integration into various applications and surfaces. They
can be seamlessly integrated into building materials, clothing, electronic devices, or
even wearable accessories, providing sustainable power solutions in a wide range of
contexts.

4. Low-Light Performance: Infrared solar plastic cells have the ability to generate
electricity even under low-light conditions. They can efficiently harvest energy from
a broader range of light intensities, including indoor lighting or diffuse light.

5. Conventional solar cells are only used for large-scale projects with large budgets; Plastic
solar cells, on the other hand, are feasible because they can be sewn into fabric and thus
have a wide range of applications.
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 9. DISADVANTAGES

1. Lower Efficiency: Compared to conventional solar cells, infrared plastic solar cells currently have
lower efficiency levels. The conversion efficiency of infrared plastic solar cells is generally lower
due to the properties of the organic materials used and their limited ability to convert photons into
electrical energy. Efforts are underway to improve the efficiency of these cells, but they still have
some catching up to do in this regard.

2. Limited Lifespan: Infrared plastic solar cells may have a shorter lifespan compared to conventional
solar cells. The organic materials used in their construction are more prone to degradation
especially when exposed to sunlight, heat, and environmental factors. This can lead to a gradual
decrease in the cell's efficiency and overall performance over its operational lifetime.

3. Environmental Sensitivity: Infrared plastic solar cells are more susceptible to environmental
conditions such as temperature, moisture, and UV exposure. High temperatures can accelerate the
degradation of the organic materials, while excessive moisture or prolonged exposure to UV
radiation can cause damage to the cell's components, reducing its efficiency and lifespan. Proper
encapsulation and protection measures are required to mitigate these effects.

4. Cost Effectiveness: The most serious issue here is cost effectiveness. However, with new
information, this could change. Nevertheless, chemists have discovered a way to make inexpensive
plastic solar cells that are versatile enough to paint on any surface and could power wearable
Electronic sor other low-power devices.

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 10. PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS MARKET OUTLOOK-
2026
● The global plastic solar cell market was valued at $2.40 million in 2018 and is projected
to reach $386.34 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 88.0% during the forecast
period of 2019 to 2026.

Fig. 7. Plastic Solar Cell Market

10.1 Plastic Solar Cell Market By Type:

Fig 8. Solar Cell Market Trends

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10.2 Plastic Solar Cell Market By Application:

Fig 9. Applications and Market Trends of Solar Cell Market

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 11. FUTURE SCOPE OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELLS

The main aim of these cells is to promote a cost-effective and efficient alternate to the solar cells which are
present at the current time. One of the key areas of focus in the future of plastic solar cells is improving their
efficiency and overall performance. Researchers are actively working on developing new organic materials,
optimizing device structures, and exploring novel fabrication techniques to enhance the efficiency of plastic
solar cells. Advancements in materials science and engineering are expected to lead to higher power
conversion efficiencies, making plastic solar cells more competitive with conventional silicon-based solar
cells.

Another important aspect of the future of plastic solar cells lies in improving their scalability and
manufacturing processes. Efforts are underway to develop large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing methods
such as roll-to-roll printing and coating techniques. These advancements would enable the production of plastic
solar cells on flexible substrates, allowing for their integration into a wide range of applications, including
building materials, consumer electronics, and wearable devices.

Plastic solar cells offer the advantage of flexibility and lightweight properties, enabling their integration into
various surfaces and objects. In the future, we can expect to see widespread integration of plastic solar cells
into everyday items such as windows, roofs, clothing, and electronic devices. This integration would enable
the concept of "energy-harvesting surfaces" and promote sustainable energy generation in diverse settings.
Additionally, the development of transparent and semi-transparent plastic solar cells could open up new
possibilities for their use in building-integrated photovoltaics, creating aesthetically pleasing and energy-
efficient structures.

Overall, the future of plastic solar cells holds tremendous potential for advancements in efficiency,
scalability, and integration.
.

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 12. CONCLUSION

Plastic solar cells have the potential to contribute to the storage of solar energy through various methods.
One approach involves integrating plastic solar cells with energy storage systems, such as batteries or
supercapacitors.

The solar cells capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy, which can then be stored in the energy
storage devices for later use. Additionally, plastic solar cells can be used in electrolysis processes to split
water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, with the hydrogen being stored as a renewable energy carrier
.
These innovative approaches highlight the potential of plastic solar cells in enabling the efficient and
sustainable storage of solar energy for future use.

Plastic solar cells aid in the capture of infrared radiation from the sun's rays. They outperform
conventional solar cells in terms of efficiency. The main advantage they have is that they can work
on cloudy days, which the former cannot. They are smaller and less bulky.

Though cost is currently a major disadvantage, it is certain to be resolved in the near future as
scientists work in that direction.

As previously stated, if solar farms become a reality, they may be able to solve the planet's problem
of over-reliance on fossil fuels while not polluting the environment.

25
 13. REFERENCES

[1] Flexible Conjugated Polymer-Based Plastic Solar Cells: From Basics to Applications
GILLES DENNLER AND NIYAZI SERDAR SARICIFTCI

[2] Modern plastic solar cells: materials, mechanisms and modeling Ryan C. Chiechi1,2,*, Remco
W.A. Havenith2, Jan C. Hummelen1,2, L. Jan Anton Koster2 and Maria A. Loi

[3] Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications: Edelstein, A. S., Cammarata, R.

C., Eds.; Institute of Physics Publishing: Bristol and Philadelphia, 1996.

[4] The Coming Era of Nanotechnology; 1987. Drexler, K. Eric, Doubleday; New York

[5] Introduction to nanotechnology- Charles P Poole, Frank J Owens

[6] Thin film solar cells next generation photovoltaic and its application- Y Hamakawa
[7]https://dailybruin.com/article/2011/05/professor_yang_yang_and_his_team_of_student_resear
chers_develop_plastic_solar_cells.
[8] http://www.plastivision.org/blog/plastic-solar-cells-the-future-of-renewable-energy/

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 14. PLAGIARISM REPORT
I certify that this report is my own work, based on my personal study and/or research and that I
have acknowledged all material and sources used in its preparation, whether they be books,
articles, reports, lecture notes, and any other kind of document, electronic or personal
communication. I also certify that this assignment/report has not previously been submitted for
assessment in any other unit, except where specific permission has been granted from all unit
coordinators involved, or at any other time in this unit, and that I have not copied in part or whole
or otherwise plagiarized the work of other students and/or persons.

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15. REMARKS

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