BOSTON, Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Printing solar panels like newsprint using organic semiconductors is the longstanding aspiration, given the obvious benefits of renewable energy and the potential for low-cost, large-area, energy-efficient production. However, despite attempts by Konarka and others, commercializing organic photovoltaic (OPV) panels has previously proved challenging. This was largely due to the falling prices of silicon panels, the comparatively low efficiency of OPV modules, and the difficulty of ensuring adequate long-term stability under constant irradiation.

Around 2015 single-junction organic solar cell efficiencies seemed to be plateauing at around 11%, and the technology was largely regarded as a nice idea that never quite met the necessary efficiency and longevity requirements. However, recently efficiencies have increased, while the differentiated attributes of OPV enable commercial viability for applications such as building-integrated, indoor, and semi-transparent photovoltaics. Additional discussion of this renaissance in OPV, along with analysis of the printed electronic materials market, is provided in the recently released IDTechEx report «Materials for Printed/Flexible Electronics 2021-2031: Technologies, Applications, Market Forecasts«.

OPV suits emerging applications

OPV offers all the advantages associated with printed electronics: flexibility, thinness, low weight and energy-efficient manufacturing. These attributes make it ideal for small volume emerging applications where flexibility and a thin film format is essential, such as incorporating solar panels into clothing and bags. However, for established applications such as rooftop panels, these are offset by the lower efficiency and perceived lower durability relative to conventional silicon PV.

As such, some of the most promising applications for OPV with the potential for high volumes are those that exploit a feature not present in silicon cells: a tunable absorption spectrum. Changing the molecules used to make the active, light-absorbing layer enables semi-transparent solar cells with around 70% transmission at visible wavelengths. This approach reduces installation costs since window glass will be installed in buildings anyway while harvesting energy from non-visible light reduces air conditioning requirements – Brazilian OPV manufacturer Sunew are seeing rapid growth for this application.

Another emerging application in which OPV is well-suited is indoor energy harvesting. The light-absorbing molecules can be chosen to maximize efficiency for the emission spectrum of indoor lighting, such as white LEDs or fluorescent tubes, while the lower intensity reduces unwanted energy loss mechanisms. These features enable OPV to out-compete silicon PV for indoor applications. Indeed, Swedish company Epishine have raised millions of Euros to commercialize OPV for indoor energy harvesting, targeting low power IoT applications.

Technological transition brings multiple benefits

Improvements in OPV efficiency and stability have largely been driven by a recent technological transition. The first generation of OPV cells had the active, light-absorbing layer containing a blend of polymer and fullerene, with an energy level offset between the materials enabling charges to be separated and thus current to be produced. The fullerene is known as an acceptor material and was regarded as an essential component of an organic solar cell. However, fullerene-based molecules have now largely been replaced with non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). This technological transition brings multiple benefits, including:

• Increased efficiency (now over 17%, see Figure 1)
• Increased stability
• Greater tunability
• Increased absorption 
• Facilitating simpler donor polymers
• Improved printability
• Easier manufacturing of acceptor materials

Analyzing the printed electronic materials market

Extensive discussion regarding organic photovoltaics and the opportunities for this technology in emerging applications are given in the new IDTechEx report «Materials for Printed/Flexible Electronics 2021-2031: Technologies, Applications, Market Forecasts«. This report also covers a wide range of other materials, including materials for organic light-emitting diodes, transistors and photodetectors, carbon nanotubes, perovskites, quantum dots, functional inorganic inks, conductive adhesives, low-temperature solder, and conductive inks. Our granular market forecasts (in both revenue and volume (kg)) cover each of the material categories outlined above, with breakdowns into further subcategories where relevant. The market is enabled by specialized, functional materials, with the report focusing on material requirements, progress, and opportunities. Technical analysis and an interview-led approach bring the reader unbiased outlooks, benchmarking studies, and player assessments across the diverse printed electronic materials market.

For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/PEMats or for the full portfolio of Printed Electronics research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/PE.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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SOURCE IDTechEx

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — FlexGen, a leading energy storage technology company, announced that it is partnering with The Kansas Power Pool (KPP), to design, build and operate the Solomon Energy Storage Center in Minneapolis, Kansas. KPP is a member-driven public power organization which procures energy and transmission service for community-owned electric utilities across Kansas. 

When commissioned at the end of the year, the Solomon Energy Storage Center will deliver a total of 1 MW of power – with enough energy to supply four hours of power to more than 250 homes when the utility’s members need it most. The FlexGen battery system also includes a «black start» capability for the utility to use if the grid goes offline. «Black start» is often compared to jumpstarting a car, where the FlexGen battery system provides the power needed to jumpstart backup generators that put more power onto the grid.

«The Solomon Energy Storage Center is another example of KPP delivering on its mission to provide cost-effective and reliable public power and services for our community of members,» says Mark Chesney, KPP’s CEO and General Manager. «We are pleased to work with FlexGen on this important project that will add resiliency and reduce costs.» Kelson Energy is providing project development, market analytics and implementation support to KPP on the project.

Kansas’ largest battery storage project
Sized at 5.1 MWh, the Solomon Energy Storage Center will be the largest battery project in Kansas, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data. Kelson Energy is providing project development, market analytics and implementation support to KPP on the project. The battery system operates on FlexGen’s energy management software platform, FlexGen HybridOS, which enables the seamless export of power onto the grid when it’s most needed – during times of peak demand or when weather disrupts the grid. During off-peak times the battery storage systems will charge when power prices are lower.

«FlexGen is proud to serve KPP and the people of Kansas on this record-setting battery storage project,» says Alan Grosse, COO of FlexGen. «The Solomon Energy Storage Center exemplifies how the FlexGen HybridOS platform enables utilities to affordably offer dependable energy storage for their customers.»

About FlexGen 
FlexGen is the second-largest U.S. energy storage technology company, and first in Texas with 80% market share. Leveraging its best-in-class energy management software and power electronics, FlexGen delivers utility-scale storage projects integrated with traditional and renewable power generation globally. Our customers and partners include the most technically and commercially demanding developers, utilities, government agencies and industrial companies in the world. For more information, visit www.flexgen.com.

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SOURCE FlexGen

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to fight hunger, Darden Restaurants has partnered with Feeding America® to enhance mobile food pantry programs in areas with higher levels of food insecurity, including communities of color. Through a $500,000 grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and additional support from Darden’s partners, Penske Truck Leasing and Lineage Logistics, five Feeding America food banks will each receive a 26-foot refrigerated box truck to help increase access to nutritious food and address transportation needs.

«As a restaurant company, we are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger, and we are proud to partner with Feeding America to make a positive impact in communities where it is needed most,» said Gene Lee, Chairman and CEO of Darden. «Mobile food pantries are an important tool to help food banks meet the increased need caused by the pandemic. These vehicles will help Feeding America food banks in five different states directly distribute a large supply of food in their communities for years to come.»

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Feeding America projects that one in six people could experience food insecurity, and people of color are even more likely to face hunger. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, when compared to white households, black households are 2.4 times more likely to be food insecure, and Hispanic households are two times more likely.

«Hunger in America is a devastating reality for millions of our neighbors. The pandemic has created an increased need for food assistance and caused major disruptions for charitable food distribution,» said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Chief Executive Officer for Feeding America. «Mobile food pantries are a critical solution to addressing both concerns. These refrigerated vehicles will remove significant barriers to getting food to vulnerable populations in five different communities. We are grateful to Darden, Penske and Lineage for making this possible.»

Feeding America helped identify food banks serving communities of color with disproportionately high levels of food insecurity and the need to increase their mobile food pantry capacity to serve neighbors facing hunger. Food banks receiving this gift include:

• Feeding the Valley Food Bank in Midland, Ga.
• Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana in Shreveport, La.
• Mid-South Food Bank in Memphis, Tenn.
• San Antonio Food Bank in San Antonio, Texas
• Second Harvest of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla.

Darden and the Darden Foundation have a long-standing commitment to help fight hunger and have been partners with Feeding America for more than 10 years. Since 2018, the Darden Foundation has provided $6.5 million to support member food banks across all 50 states.

These efforts go hand-in-hand with Darden’s Harvest program. Each day, every Darden restaurant collects surplus, wholesome food that is not served to guests and prepares it for donation to local nonprofit partners. Since its inception, more than 120 million pounds of food — totaling more than 100 million meals — have been donated through the Harvest program.

About Darden Restaurants and The Darden Foundation
Darden is a restaurant company featuring a portfolio of differentiated brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and Eddie V’s. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

The Darden Foundation works to bring to life our spirit of service through its philanthropic support of charitable organizations across the country. Since 1995, The Darden Foundation has awarded more than $90 million in grants to non-profit organizations such as Feeding America, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and American Red Cross.

About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.