Luna Innovations Incorporated, which is to investigate new acceptor molecules for the development of improved high efficiency organic photovoltaic cells, is among the 13 U.S. small solar businesses which have been chosen by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for partnerships.
In combination with advances in donor materials, this project aims to achieve record organic photovoltaic solar cell efficiencies. The company’s research demonstrates an entirely new approach of enhancing OPV device performance by using improved acceptor materials.
Luna Innovations is focusing on integrating its carbon nanomaterial technology into the products of solar cell manufacturers making commercially viable products. Luna’s nanomaterials have been independently verified at NREL as setting a new record for efficiency of the commercially available P3HT organic solar cell polymer.
Luna continues its work to further optimise organic solar cell performance through government-funded technology development programmes.
The companies chosen by the NREL have the capability to enter the market by 2012. According to NREL, the Photovoltaic (PV) Technology Incubator programme, which is focused on enabling small business in the U.S. to accelerate prototype and pre-commercial technologies toward pilot and full-scale production, will help in commercialisation of PV research and development to meet aggressive cost and installation goals.
The anticipated programme funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is $9 million. The subcontracts, up to $3 million each, will be awarded as 18-month phased subcontracts. The total anticipated subcontracts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is $6 million.
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