Current status and prospects of flexible solar cells

Abstract

With the increasing global demand for clean energy, solar cells, as a renewable and pollution-free clean energy source, have attracted much attention. In the past, solar cells have always used rigid materials as substrates. However, this rigid solar panel is not only bulky and limited in layout, but also susceptible to external impact and damage, which is not conducive to its application in various scenarios. Flexible solar cells, developed from rigid solar cells, have the advantages of light weight, small size, high safety, and strong adaptability, gradually becoming the development trend of solar cells. The research and development of flexible solar cells benefit from the rapid development of materials. In recent years, the emergence of various new materials and preparation technologies, such as carbon fibers, polymers, organic materials, and nanostructures, has provided a better foundation for the preparation of flexible batteries. At the same time, flexible batteries can also be processed through printing, spraying and other processing methods, improving manufacturing efficiency. In addition, the demand for wearable devices, smart homes and other emerging scenarios in society has also accelerated the research and application of flexible solar cells, providing broad application prospects for their development. However, its cost is usually higher than that of rigid solar cells, and market regulation under new categories requires time to adapt. The development of flexible solar cells is benign, but it requires the market to test its standardization.