Solar film produces Record efficiency in low-light
Armor solar power films reach 26 percent efficiency
Armor Solar Power Films, a French company, has announced a record 26 percent efficiency in a low-light environment for its ASCA organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. With estimates placing the number of connected objects worldwide at 75 billion by 20251, this performance level has been posted in a context of high growth in the IoT sector, opening up multiple market opportunities.
The high efficiency figures have been achieved by integrating new photoactive materials developed with Taiwanese partner RaynergyTek, a specialist in semiconductor materials for OPV. Thanks to its high sensitivity to light, the OPV film produced by Armor is effective indoors and in conditions of artificial light. Combined with its low weight and semi-transparency, it is easy to imagine the array of opportunities it offers to the IoT sector.
Constantly expanding applications
The solar technology of Armor solar power films offers dual functionality. In the first place it can be used to generate electricity (its primary function), powering connected objects while offering the benefits of extended autonomy, a longer useful life and optimised maintenance. All of this is made possible due to the absence of limited-life batteries.
For example, Armor solar power films has installed its ASCA PV film at its industrial site in Kitzingen (Germany) to power sensors monitoring ambient temperature and humidity in real time, an essential function to ensure the quality of production. In this low-light environment (from 200 lux), the films produce energy from the lighting at the premises. It is then stored to power the sensors, enabling them to operate continuously both day and night. The collected data can be accessed remotely for analysis. The OPV film can also be used as a receiver of data transmitted via light in LiFi applications or asset tracking, such as geolocation used in logistics or to track the movement of people (secure premises, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.).
IoT – a booming market
Connected objects have become essential in many sectors. They produce vast quantities of data which is stored and processed as "big data". In Agriculture, this may cover sensors monitoring temperature, soil humidity, irrigation or livestock conditions.In the field of Environment, this covers sensors monitoring air quality, temperature, noise levels, the status of a building, etc. In Healthcare and Well-being sectors there are connected watches and other sensors monitoring vital signs. A booming market, it is estimated that 127 new items of equipment are connected every second and that there will be 75 billion connected objects worldwide by 2025.
Armor specialises in the industrial formulation of inks and the coating of thin layers onto thin films. Armor Solar Power flims is a subsidiary of Armor Group, with a team of experts of sixty people is spread over France, Germany and West Africa.
