As reported in a recent article at GreenTech Media, several scientists working on organic solar cells have joined to write an unusual letter (Does Going Organic Require Exaggeration?). The letter writers urge their fellow researchers to ensure that they report verifiable values for the efficiency of organic solar cells. The letter writers are concerned that the competition for attention, research funding and investment for organic solar cell development has led to exaggerated and overstated claims for solar cell efficiency.
Clearly, solar cell efficiency is the most important performance parameter for photovoltaic sources, and relates directly to the cost/watt of solar energy. In many developing high tech fields, overstated claims have led to missteps by investors and others. As before, developers of organic solar cells will find that it is very important to deliver credible performance data about their work. The means to deliver verifiable data exist and should be used. Indeed more importantly, the real competition begins when the technology is developed commercially and brought to market. At this stage the success or failure of a new technology can be proven when renewable energy supplies reach consumers and money is made or lost on the technology.
