Are foldable solar cells a viable power source?

Foldable solar cells are promising power sources in wearable and portable electronics. In this review, the progress on the foldable solar cells is summarized. The key requirements to construct foldable solar cells, including structure design and flexible alternatives are discussed.

What are foldable solar cells?

Key points for achieving highly foldable solar cells Compared to the normal bendable solar cells which can endure flexion with a smooth curve with radius of several millimeters, foldable solar cells can tolerate the crease at the edge with a curvature radius of sub-millimeter.

Are polymer and paper substrates suitable for foldable solar cells?

Based on our understanding, polymer and paper substrates possess the advantages of smooth surface, high transparency, foldability, and low Young's module. In addition, the fabrication of ultrathin polymer and paper is gradually mature. Therefore, they are believed as promising substrates for foldable solar cells.

How to build highly foldable solar cells?

The key requirements to construct highly foldable solar cells, including structure design based on tuning the neutral axis plane, and adopting flexible alternatives including substrates, transparent electrodes and absorbers, are intensively discussed.

How are polycrystalline panels made?

Polycrystalline panels are manufactured by melting multiple silicon fragments together to form a solid panel. This process is simpler and less expensive but slightly reduces efficiency, which ranges from 15% to 19%.

Which materials can be used in bending and foldable solar cells?

By now, carbon nanotube, graphene, ultrathin metal, metal nanowire, metal grids, conductive polymer, and their complex, have been widely applied in the robust bendable and foldable solar cells.