Konarka Finds Its Strategy With Building-Integrated Solar

A year or two ago, prospects for Konarka looked grim, at least to outside observers. The Massachusetts manufacturer of organic thin film, a cheap type of solar panel with rock-bottom efficiency rates, seemed to be floundering for a strategy. Attempts by researchers to layer together pieces that captured light from different parts of the spectrum in double- or triple-junctioned designs, meant to raise the efficiency, looked far too expensive and complex, and the company's potential niches, like solar-powered watches, didn't seem likely to support the over $100 million of investment it had taken.

Now the horizon appears to be clearing for Konarka's brand of solar power. Last week, the company reported a gain of about one percent in cell efficiency -- which doesn't sound like much, until you consider that they were only at five percent efficiency before. Konarka is hoping to eventually hit 10 percent efficiency in single-junctioned cells, according to the Technology Review.

Instead of layering multiple cells, the company's strategy has shifted to increasing the spectrum that a single cell can absorb from. Thus they'll get a second chance to hit the higher efficiencies that could let them compete in utility-scale power generation with other thin-film solar choices like CdTe or CIGS.

But even at today's efficiencies, Konarka appears to be opening up markets. According to a press release this morning, they're partnering with Arch Aluminum & Glass to integrate organic thin films into windows. While the agreement is only a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that doesn't really promise Konarka a big new market, there's a chance that power-generating windows could take off, especially on structures like skyscrapers.

The goal with organic thin films is to undercut every other option in cost -- at its best, the technology hopes to be dirt cheap and ubiquitous, allowing the film to be layered on every spare surface. Konarka has taken plenty of money -- whether it can live up to the promises should become apparent within a year or two.