Efficiency Measurement of Organic Solar Cells: Step-by-Step Protocol to be Followed

Abstract

Organic semiconductor materials have been extensively studied in excitonic solar cells (ESC) devices due to their widespread advantages. Accurate method for measurement of power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of these emerging photovoltaic technologies with metrological traceability is needed to be followed in all organic photovoltaic research laboratories. In the current article, we have established a step-by-step protocol for measurement of PCE of ESC devices by fabricating and testing organic solar cell devices for easy following. The current–voltage characteristics of ITO/ZnO/PTB7:PC71BM/MoOx/Ag-based inverted devices have been measured under standard testing conditions (STC) as per IEC 60904/IS 12762 protocols with taking in consideration of the spectral mismatch factor as per IEC 60904–7/IS 12762–7. Details about complete measurement procedure with metrological traceability are provided. Uncertainty budget is presented for contribution of different quantities toward PCE. Photovoltaic quantities are obtained from Class AAA solar simulator calibrated using a reference silicon solar cell. The manuscript presents the steps to be followed to obtain PCE with high accuracy and traceability. An example of a test cell is also presented. The measurement procedure is also applicable to other excitonic solar cells devices like perovskite solar cells.