Final Report Summary - ORGAPVNET (Coordination Action towards stable and low-cost organic solar cell technologies and their application)
Research and development (R&D) efforts towards the evolution of solar cells based on organic layers increased significantly during the past years. Nevertheless, in order to have a real impact on the photovoltaic (PV) market, additional progress was required in terms of efficiency, stability and application technologies.
The ORGAPVNET project fostered progress towards this direction, since it established a common understanding for future investments and strategies concerning organic PV. ORGAPVNET applied an interdisciplinary approach, combined solid-state physics, chemistry and material science and involved a number of leading institutions and industries. The specific project objectives were to:
1. stimulate the restructuring of the research community so as to enhance technological uptake;
2. establish close cooperation between the existing organisations operating in the field;
3. facilitate knowledge dissemination between R&D projects and industry;
4. work on measurement standards and prediction of the performance of organic PV cells and modules;
5. implement more coherent national and international research activities;
6. investigate new opportunities and define barriers in the European and international markets;
7. address socioeconomic and financial issues relevant to the organic PV sector;
8. develop future scenarios for advanced technological innovations and their application.
ORGAPVNET achieved its targets through numerous activities, including meetings, workshops and international symposia. Moreover, a project related website was designed and regularly updated. The required information was collected using questionnaires related to dye-sensitised solar cells (DSC) and organic PV. The answers, both by market and academia members, were analysed and contributed to the synthesis of a 'European organic PV technology roadmap', which was, along with a state of the art report, the principal project deliverable.
The generated knowledge focused on the usefulness of the applied methods, the validity of the available models and the priority areas for R&D. Furthermore, the roadmap formed the basis for better directing and organising future R&D programmes and increased the involvement of small and medium enterprises to such activities. Finally, a strategy and action plan was defined, to ensure the continuous coordination of European organic PV related actions after the project completion.
The ORGAPVNET project fostered progress towards this direction, since it established a common understanding for future investments and strategies concerning organic PV. ORGAPVNET applied an interdisciplinary approach, combined solid-state physics, chemistry and material science and involved a number of leading institutions and industries. The specific project objectives were to:
1. stimulate the restructuring of the research community so as to enhance technological uptake;
2. establish close cooperation between the existing organisations operating in the field;
3. facilitate knowledge dissemination between R&D projects and industry;
4. work on measurement standards and prediction of the performance of organic PV cells and modules;
5. implement more coherent national and international research activities;
6. investigate new opportunities and define barriers in the European and international markets;
7. address socioeconomic and financial issues relevant to the organic PV sector;
8. develop future scenarios for advanced technological innovations and their application.
ORGAPVNET achieved its targets through numerous activities, including meetings, workshops and international symposia. Moreover, a project related website was designed and regularly updated. The required information was collected using questionnaires related to dye-sensitised solar cells (DSC) and organic PV. The answers, both by market and academia members, were analysed and contributed to the synthesis of a 'European organic PV technology roadmap', which was, along with a state of the art report, the principal project deliverable.
The generated knowledge focused on the usefulness of the applied methods, the validity of the available models and the priority areas for R&D. Furthermore, the roadmap formed the basis for better directing and organising future R&D programmes and increased the involvement of small and medium enterprises to such activities. Finally, a strategy and action plan was defined, to ensure the continuous coordination of European organic PV related actions after the project completion.
