What is Organic Photovoltaics? Explore Types, Working Principle, Pros, and Cons

Organic photovoltaics (OPV), also known as organic solar cells, are PV cells that use organic compounds like conductive polymers and small organic molecules to convert sunlight into DC output. Unlike silicon panels, organic photovoltaics are thin, flexible, and can be printed like ink onto plastic films. Since they use low temperatures and simple equipment, they could provide a breakthrough in reducing the cost of solar installation in future. 

However, organic PV cells are not there yet to be used as rooftop solar panel systems for homes, housing societies, and commercial complexes on a mass scale because of the following factors:

• Low efficiency in the real world: While some organic PV cells have reached efficiencies up to 20%* in labs, the real-world efficiencies are quite low (8-10%*). 
• Shorter lifespan: While a few recent models offer warranties of up to 20 years for indoor applications, the majority of organic photovoltaics still have a shorter outdoor lifespan of up to 10 years. They can’t withstand intense climatic conditions in the real world as well as silicon solar cells can.

*Please note: The efficiency range mentioned above is indicative and not fixed. The final efficiency of an organic photovoltaic cell can vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. SolarSquare does not manufacture, endorse, or install OPVs. We install on-grid rooftop solar systems at homes, housing societies, and commercial complexes using silicon-based high-wattage solar panels.

Researchers are trying to improve the efficiency and lifespan of organic PV cells so they can one day be used to build kW-scale rooftop on-grid solar systems. Although challenges prevent organic photovoltaic cells from being suitable for grid-connected and off-grid solar systems, they excel in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), where weight, flexibility, and aesthetics are key considerations. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how organic photovoltaics work, how they’re made, their types, real uses, the pros and cons, and what they cost. We will also compare silicon-based bifacial solar panels with organic PV cells, so you can see why silicon currently dominates rooftops and why OPVs are still far from being adopted to build residential and commercial rooftop systems in India. 

TL;DR Summary Box: What Are Organic Photovoltaics Made of?

Organic photovoltaics are solar cells made from carbon-based materials that can be printed onto plastic substrates. The main materials used are conductive organic polymers and small molecules instead of silicon semiconductors. The organic solar cells are lightweight, flexible, and a lot cheaper than silicon PV cells. 

However, their efficiency and lifespan are much lower in real-world conditions compared to silicon solar cells, making them unsuitable for installing outdoor rooftop solar systems for housing societies, homes, and commercial complexes. 

Here are the main topics covered in this blog in detail:

Main Topics	Key Takeaways
What are organic solar cells?	They’re PV cells that use organic compounds instead of silicon to turn solar energy into electricity. They’re ultra-thin, light, flexible, and are made either by printing low-temperature inks or vacuum deposition on plastic or glass.
How do organic PV cells work?	Light creates tightly bound pairs known as excitons in the organic layer. At the donor-acceptor boundary, excitons split into charges, which are then collected as DC electricity.
What are the types of organic photovoltaics?	Single-layer organic PV cells, bilayer heterojunctions, and bulk heterojunctions.
What are the advantages of organic PV cells?	They’re lightweight and bendable. Hence, they can be customized into different sizes, colors, and shapes.
What are the disadvantages of organic photovoltaic cells?	They have low efficiency and a shorter lifespan compared to rugged silicon solar panels.
What are the applications of organic photovoltaics?	Best for BIPV, wearable electronics, and charging stations for small indoor devices where low light and looks matter more than max power.
Why are bifacial solar panels with mono-PERC silicon cells better for rooftop solar systems?	They produce significantly more power for the same roof area, reducing electricity bills by over 90%.

What Are Organic Solar Cells and How Do They Work?

Organic solar cells, also known as organic photovoltaics (OPVs) or plastic solar cells, are a type of photovoltaic technology that uses carbon-based organic semiconducting materials to absorb sunlight and generate electricity. This approach differs from silicon, which is commonly used in most commercial solar panels for large-scale solar systems. 

OPVs utilize conductive polymers, small organic molecules, or a combination of both as their light-absorbing active layer. The organic materials are dissolved in solvents to create printable inks that can be deposited onto flexible plastic substrates. Simply put, organic PV cells are transparent and bendable. Therefore, they can be integrated into windows, clothing, and curved surfaces.

What is the Working Principle of OPVs? Step-by-Step Guide

Organic photovoltaic cells use the same photovoltaic effect to work and generate solar electricity that silicon-based solar cells do. The main difference is that the charge generation and transport mechanisms differ in the two types due to the unique properties of organic semiconductors. 

When photons strike the organic active layer, they create bound electron-hole pairs called excitons rather than free charge carriers.

Let’s understand how organic photovoltaics work in simple steps: 

• Step 1 – Sunlight falls on the organic PV cells and is absorbed: Organic molecules absorb photons and transition to excited electronic states.
• Step 2 – Exciton is created: Bound electron-hole pairs called excitons are created with binding energies of 0.3-0.5 eV.
• Step 3 – Exciton is diffused: Excitons move through the organic material toward donor-acceptor interfaces. They can only travel a very short distance. Therefore, the two materials are mixed closely to give excitons a nearby interface to reach.
• Step 4 – Charge separation occurs: At the donor-acceptor boundary, the exciton splits. The electron moves into the acceptor, and the hole stays in the donor. This creates free charges.
• Step 5 – Separated charge is transported: Separated charges move through their own pathways toward the electrodes. Transport layers and contacts are chosen so electrons have an easy path to one side and holes to the other.
• Step 6 – The resulting current is collected: Electrons and holes are extracted at opposite electrodes to generate an electrical current. It’s the unidirectional flow of electrons that produces direct current (DC).

How Are Organic PV Cells Made?

Organic photovoltaics are made in one of the following two main ways:

• Printed/coated from inks at low temperatures
• Vacuum-deposited ultra-thin organic layers

Organic semiconducting materials are dissolved in specific solvents to create ink formulations that can be processed at relatively low temperatures compared to silicon manufacturing.

Before you understand how they’re made, let’s give you an overview of the main components of organic solar cells:

• Transparent front electrode: This is usually a clear conductive coating (often Indium Tin Oxide aka ITO) that lets light in and carries current. 
• Active layer: This is a blend of two organic materials (donor + acceptor) that turns sunlight into charges.
• Buffer layers: These are the Hole transport layer (HTL) and electron transport layer (ETL) that improve charge extraction.
• Back electrode: This is a thin metal, often aluminum or silver (sometimes, with a very thin calcium layer under aluminum). Its main job is to collect electrons.
• Substrate: This is a flexible plastic or glass base that supports the entire cell structure.
• Encapsulation: This is a protective barrier layer that prevents oxygen and moisture from seeping within the cell once it’s manufactured.

Now that you know the most important components, let’s discuss how organic PV cells are made in simple steps:

• Step 1 – Material is prepared: The active materials and buffer layers are dissolved to make smooth, printable inks. During production, manufacturers mostly use safer and non-halogenated solvents.
• Step 2 – The base sheet (substrate) is cleaned: The glass or plastic sheet is cleaned using surface treatments so that every later layer lies flat and sticks well. 
• Step 3 – Electrode is deposited: Transparent conductive oxide (ITO) layer is coated using sputtering or chemical methods.
• Step 4 – Buffer layer coating follows next: Hole transport layers are applied using spin coating or slot-die coating techniques.
• Step 5 – Active layer is printed: Organic semiconductor blend is deposited using roll-to-roll, screen printing, or inkjet methods.
• Step 6 – Top electrode is evaporated: Metal electrodes are thermally evaporated in vacuum chambers.
• Step 7 – Encapsulation follows next: Organic PV cells created are sealed with barrier films to prevent environmental degradation.
• Step 8 – All organic photovoltaic cells manufactured are tested for quality: In the testing phase, manufacturers measure the electrical performance of the cells. 

What Are the Types of Organic Photovoltaics?

The three main types of organic photovoltaics are single-layer organic cells, bilayer heterojunctions, and bulk heterojunctions. The single-layer organic solar cells are the simplest of all three types. 

Before we take you through the details of all three types of organic photovoltaic cells, let’s check out the main differences between them:

Feature	Single-Layer Organic Solar Cells	Bilayer Heterojunctions	Bulk Heterojunctions
What are they?	These are OPVs that consist of one organic semiconductor layer between two electrodes with different work functions.	Instead of one, these OPVs have two layers: a donor layer and an acceptor layer touching each other.	These are the most advanced OPVs, where the donor and acceptor are blended, so the interface is spread throughout the layer.
Efficiency range in labs*	1-2%	~10-16%	Up to 20%
Efficiency range in real life*	Not used anymore	7-8%	5-8%
Manufacturing cost	Very low	Low	Moderate
Stability	Poor	Moderate	Good
Applications	Lab demos only	Academic studies	Research, pilots, and custom printed films in building-integrated photovoltaics.

*Please note: The efficiency ranges mentioned above are indicative and not fixed. The final efficiency of an organic photovoltaic cell can vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. SolarSquare does not manufacture, endorse, or install OPVs. We install on-grid rooftop solar systems at homes, housing societies, and commercial complexes using silicon-based high-wattage solar panels.

Now, let’s check out all the three types in detail.

Single-Layer Organic Photovoltaics

Single-layer organic solar cells use the simplest form of organic photovoltaic technology. They consist of just one organic semiconductor layer, neatly sandwiched between two electrodes with different work functions. The built-in electric field created by the work function difference drives charge separation. Their efficiency is just 1-2% because of poor exciton dissociation.

Here are the main characteristics of single-layer organic PV cells:

• Structure: One organic layer between a clear front contact (like ITO) and a metal back contact.
• Efficiency: Typically 1-2% due to limited charge separation capability.
• Materials: Single polymers like polyacetylene or polythiophene derivatives.
• Applications: Research purposes and proof-of-concept demonstrations only.

Bilayer Heterojunction Organic PV Cells

Bilayer heterojunction organic solar cells have two organic layers: one donor and one acceptor material. This design improves charge separation compared to single-layer organic solar cells by providing a clear boundary where excitons can break down into free charge carriers.

Here are the main characteristics of bilayer heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells:

• Structure: Two neat layers, donor and acceptor, touching at a flat boundary.
• Efficiency: Typically 7-8% in the real world.
• Materials: Common combinations include CuPc/C60 and P3HT/PCBM bilayers.
• Applications: Academic research and commercial prototypes.

Bulk Heterojunction Organic PV Cells

Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells are the most advanced OPVs. They have donor and acceptor materials intimately mixed throughout the active layer. This three-dimensional interpenetrating network maximizes the interface area where excitons can dissociate. As a result, the efficiency improves dramatically.

Here are the main characteristics of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells:

• Structure: The donor and acceptor are mixed together closely. Hence, excitons find an interface almost anywhere.
• Efficiency: 5-8% in the real world.
• Materials: Non-fullerene acceptors like Y6 with modern polymer donors are common in these high-efficiency solar cells.
• Applications: Most commercial organic solar cells for BIPV.

What Are the Advantages of Organic Photovoltaic Cells?

Organic solar cells are flexible and cheaper to manufacture. They’re lightweight too. It makes them a great contender to reduce the cost of solar systems at a commercial scale in the future, once their efficiency and lifespan can be increased. 

Let’s check out all the advantages of organic photovoltaics in detail:

• They’re very flexible: You can bend and roll them, and mount them on curved or uneven surfaces.
• They have a very lightweight design: These solar cells are significantly lighter than glass-based silicon panels. It reduces structural requirements, which can lower the final solar installation cost in India once OPVs can be made stable for harsh outdoor conditions.
• They’re easy to install: Many films come with backside adhesive. You just stick them on without the need for heavy frames or roof penetrations.
• They’re semi-transparent: Tunable optical properties allow creation of transparent or colored solar windows. This is a great asset in BIPV.
• They have a low-temperature processing: Manufacturing at low temperatures reduces energy consumption. This brings down the manufacturing cost substantially. 
• They offer superior performance indoors: In lab settings, OPVs have shown remarkable performance under artificial lighting.
• They offer design freedom: These solar cells can be designed with various colors, shapes, sizes, and patterns.

What Are the Disadvantages of Organic Solar Cells?

Organic solar cells can be unstable in harsh weather conditions in the real world. Hence, they’re not recommended for mass rooftop solar system installations. Plus, their efficiencies are significantly lower than those of advanced silicon solar panels that use mono-PERC half-cut cells. 

Let’s check out all the disadvantages of organic PV cells in detail:

• They have a lower efficiency: Current commercial organic solar cells have maximum efficiency of up to 10%. On the contrary, the best bifacial silicon solar panels made of mono-PERC half-cut solar cells have an efficiency up to 22.5%.
• They have a shorter lifespan: Degradation from oxygen and UV exposure limits the operational life of most OPVs to 5-10 years. On the contrary, silicon solar panels last for at least 25 years.
• They’re very sensitive to air and moisture: If the edge seal or barrier fails, the performance of OPVs can drop very quickly. Good encapsulation is a must.
• They’re not rugged: These are thin films, not glass. They can scratch, tear, or dent if manhandled.
• It’s difficult to scale them: Maintaining lab-scale efficiency in large-area manufacturing remains difficult to date.

What Are the Applications of Organic Photovoltaics?

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is one of the most promising applications of organic solar cells because they’re flexible, lightweight, and can be designed into any shape and size. Since they’re lightweight and portable, they can also be integrated into wearable devices.

Let’s check out all the applications of organic photovoltaics in detail.

Application of OPVs	Details
Building-integrated photovoltaics	They can be applied to facades, solar windows, skylights, balcony railings, and cladding. Since they’re semi-transparent, they will allow natural light into the home while generating electricity from sunlight.
Indoor power for small devices	Sensors, remote controls, keyboards, and smart badges that run on office or store lighting.
Building a solar greenhouse	They can be used as semi-transparent films on greenhouse roofs or walls to generate power while still letting enough light for plants.
Portable and wearable electronics	The lightweight and flexible nature of organic photovoltaic cells makes them ideal for portable charging applications and integration into wearable devices.

Organic Solar Cells vs High-Efficiency Bifacial Modules

High-efficiency silicon-based solar panels, such as the bifacial solar panels with mono-PERC cells, have an efficiency of up to 22.5% in real life. This is significantly higher than the efficiency of OPVs in the real world. 

Here’s a tabulated snapshot of efficiencies and lifespan of commercially popular silicon panels vs OPVs:

Type of solar cell	Efficiency	Lifespan
Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells	5-8% efficient in the real world	5-10 years in the real world
Bifacial solar panels with monocrystalline solar cells	Up to 22% efficient	25+ years
Bifacial solar panels with mono-PERC half-cut solar cells	Up to 22.5%	25+ years

Why Are Bifacial Solar Panels with Mono-PERC Solar Cells Better for Rooftop Solar Systems?

Using bifacial solar panels to build kW-scale rooftop solar systems is very practical, and it offers the best possible ROI to homeowners. Here are the main reasons why these panels are better than OPVs for rooftop solar PV systems:

• They’re built to last in harsh weather conditions: Unlike organic solar cells, which aren’t rugged enough to survive harsh weather, silicon solar panels are extremely tough. The mono-PERC half-cut technology gives these panels a low temperature coefficient, and they can also withstand high cyclonic winds and rainfall.
• They offer more power generation from the same roof area: A 22.5% efficient solar panel will produce a lot more power than a 10% efficient organic photovoltaic cell.
• They last longer: With a lifespan of 25+ years, silicon solar panels offer a great value for investment. The system’s initial investment cost is recovered in 3-5 years after a subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. After that, it will generate free electricity for its entire lifespan.

Solar System Installation Cost vs Savings in 25 Years

Here’s a simple table comparing the solar system installation cost vs the savings that the system will provide in 25 years of its life in a city like Nagpur:

Solar System Size	Solar Panel Price in Nagpur With Subsidy (Starting Price – Indicative for Base Variant)*	Solar Savings in Nagpur in 25 Years*
2 kWp	~ Rs. 1.15 lakh	~ Rs. 11.05 lakh
3 kWp	~ Rs. 1.32 lakh	~ Rs. 16.58 lakh
4 kWp	~ Rs. 1.77 lakh	~ Rs. 22.11 lakh
5 kWp	~ Rs. 2.27 lakh	~ Rs. 34.43 lakh
10 kWp	~ Rs. 5.02 lakh	~ Rs. 68.86 lakh

*Please note: The above-mentioned solar plate price is indicative as of 19th August 2025 for the SolarSquare Blue 6ft variant. The final cost of installing an on-grid rooftop solar panel system at home depends on your DISCOM charges, product variant opted for, panel type, inverter type, mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, savings guarantee, roof height, etc. Prices are subject to change. Additionally, while calculating savings, we have considered the annual tariff escalation at 3% and the annual degradation at 1%. The actual final savings from solar panel installation depend on the types of solar panels you’ve installed and their efficiency, intensity of sunlight your rooftop receives, orientation of the panels and tilt angle, the pollution level and weather conditions in your city, the temperature, shadow on the roof, impact of dirt/dust, and how well you maintain your panels after installation.

Use SolarSquare’s free rooftop solar calculator to get an estimate of solar savings in your city.

Conclusion

Organic photovoltaics is a promising technology that can reduce the cost of solar installation in India. However, the technology is still in the research stage. Researchers still have to make organic solar cells strong enough, efficient enough, and long-lasting enough before they can go mainstream for building commercial and residential solar PV systems. 

If you’re looking to go solar and don’t know where to begin, contact SolarSquare for free today. Our experts will resolve all your doubts. You can also download our free solar handbook, which answers most of the questions homeowners have about going solar.  

FAQs

Q1. What is the lifespan of organic cells?

Ans. Organic cells in real-world conditions can last between 5 and 10 years. A few new products claim up to 20 years of life with very good sealing in a controlled indoor environment. However, outdoor efficiencies continue to remain low. While their lifespan is improving, OPVs are still far behind silicon.

Q2. What is the difference between organic and inorganic solar cells?

Ans. Organic PV cells use carbon-based materials like special plastics and small molecules. They’re lightweight and flexible. Inorganic cells, on the other hand, use materials like silicon as a semiconductor. They’re rigid, built to withstand extreme weather conditions, and can last for more than 25 years with proper maintenance.

Q3. What is the main problem with organic PV cells?

Ans. They make less power for the same area and don’t last as long outside as silicon solar cells do.

Q4. What is the market potential and future of organic photovoltaic cells?

Ans. OPV fits places where weight, shape, or looks matter. They’re great as BIPV facades, wearable and portable gadgets, and for charging small indoor gadgets. As their efficiency and lifetime rise, the market will grow. However, standard rooftops will still mostly use silicon, which is far more advanced.

Q5. How much do organic solar cells cost in India in 2025?

Ans. Organic solar cells in India can cost between Rs. 2,500/m2 and Rs. 7,500/m2. These prices are based on standard market estimates and must not be treated as the final rates. The final cost of organic solar cells can vary based on the type of cell, materials used, brand, size of the cell, etc.

Q6. Do you need lithium batteries with on-grid solar systems?

Ans. No. Lithium batteries are not needed with on-grid rooftop solar systems. They’re required for hybrid and off-grid solar systems.