Chapter 1
Basic Principles of Modern Organic
Solar Cells
Masahiro Hiramoto
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Current Status of Solar Cells: c-Si
Scientists have the responsibility to solve the energy problem since the security
concerns about the energy resources from fossil fuels have been one of the main
reasons for conflicts among nations. The solar cell, which has been studied intensively
for more than half a century, is a candidate to solve this energy issue. Presently, almost
all solar cell markets are dominated by the single-crystal silicon (c-Si). Figure 1.1a
shows the global evolution of solar cell installations [1], which rapidly increased
from around 2010 and reached 500 GW in 2018. Assuming that 1 GW (10
6 kW)
corresponded to one nuclear power plant, the electricity equivalent of 50 power plants
was supplied globally by solar cells by considering the net working rate of solar cells
to be approximately 10% due to fickle weather conditions, as well as the absence of
sunlight at night. Figure 1.1b shows the ratio of renewable energies, including solar
cells (PV) [1] that supplied 2% of the global electricity demand in 2018.
By considering the best mix concept of energy resources based on risk management, the ratio of solar cells (PV) exceeding 20% of the total energy supply is appropriate. Thus, a 10 times solar cell ratio increase is necessary. One of the hurdles
remains the higher cost of electricity produced by solar cells than that using fossil
fuels. Another obstacle entails the management of the intermittent features of solar
energy.
M. Hiramoto (B)
Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Science, 5-1 Higashiyama,
MyodaijiAichi, Okazaki 4448787, Japan
e-mail: hiramoto@ims.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Hiramoto and S. Izawa (eds.), Organic Solar Cells,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9113-6_1
1
Basic Principles of Modern Organic
Solar Cells
Masahiro Hiramoto
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Current Status of Solar Cells: c-Si
Scientists have the responsibility to solve the energy problem since the security
concerns about the energy resources from fossil fuels have been one of the main
reasons for conflicts among nations. The solar cell, which has been studied intensively
for more than half a century, is a candidate to solve this energy issue. Presently, almost
all solar cell markets are dominated by the single-crystal silicon (c-Si). Figure 1.1a
shows the global evolution of solar cell installations [1], which rapidly increased
from around 2010 and reached 500 GW in 2018. Assuming that 1 GW (10
6 kW)
corresponded to one nuclear power plant, the electricity equivalent of 50 power plants
was supplied globally by solar cells by considering the net working rate of solar cells
to be approximately 10% due to fickle weather conditions, as well as the absence of
sunlight at night. Figure 1.1b shows the ratio of renewable energies, including solar
cells (PV) [1] that supplied 2% of the global electricity demand in 2018.
By considering the best mix concept of energy resources based on risk management, the ratio of solar cells (PV) exceeding 20% of the total energy supply is appropriate. Thus, a 10 times solar cell ratio increase is necessary. One of the hurdles
remains the higher cost of electricity produced by solar cells than that using fossil
fuels. Another obstacle entails the management of the intermittent features of solar
energy.
M. Hiramoto (B)
Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Science, 5-1 Higashiyama,
MyodaijiAichi, Okazaki 4448787, Japan
e-mail: hiramoto@ims.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
M. Hiramoto and S. Izawa (eds.), Organic Solar Cells,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9113-6_1
1