Efficient polymer solar cell modules

Polymer solar cell modules based on the standard polymer-fullerene system of to-date, P3HT-PCBM, have been prepared and characterized. We have observed a loss of only 20% when up-scaling the active area of the solar cell by a factor somewhat larger than 10. An average solar cell efficiency of 3% and a module efficiency of 1.9% for three serially interconnected solar cells of 5.4 cm(2) each are reported. The route for further optimization of module performance is discussed based on analyzing the existing loss factors within this design. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.