Transparent organic photovoltaics: A strategic niche to advance commercialization

After more than a decade of organic photovoltaics making introductory steps into the market, the scientific and industrial communities keep working toward the consolidation of this technology in the market. The recent development of materials that yield simultaneously high levels of efficiency and transparency brings the opportunity to enter important niche markets, such as transparent photovoltaic windows, in which organic semiconductors might become the best alternative absorber. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the technological progress in organic photovoltaics especially relevant for target semitransparent applications, highlighting key R&D aspects that demand more attention from an industrial and product-development perspective. We conclude that strong effort is needed to develop higher-performing photoactive materials and roll-to-roll compatible interlayer materials and electrodes. Although this is already a significant research focus of the academic community, we identify that reinforcing research effort on topics such as improvement in device lifetime, color portfolio, and module design and efficiency will help in making a significant effect on changing the status of organic photovoltaics from a novel technology to a mature industry.