‘Excitonic’ Hydrocarbon Solar Cells on verge of Efficiency in Inorganic Photovoltaics, HOW?

With current situation around the globe this is clear that human kind have to find the ways to generate renewable energy sources to meet increased demand and preserve climate! Among many possible solutions, photovoltaics (PV) in Indian perspective is identified as an important technology to convert abundant Sun light into electricity. In last 2-3 decades organic semiconductors have emerged as an alternative solution, but faced huge challenges to get decent power conversion efficiency (PCE). Working principle of this technology is highly exotic for fundamental science and in huge contrast to established inorganic counterpart with a promise of low cost, high throughput and least electronic waste. I will speak about the rapid progress of OPVs and underlying reasons for the boost in single junction PCE ~ 19%, on verge of efficiency in inorganic PVs.