Plextronics Gets $750K to Develop Technology for Organic Solar Cells

Plextronics, a Pittsburgh-based developer of active-layer technology for printed electronic devices, announced it has received $750,000 in funding from the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania to further develop Plexcore PV technology for organic solar cells. Organic solar cells use extremely thin layers of plastic semiconductors, instead of silicon, to absorb light and create electricity. They can be lightweight, flexible and can operate well even in low-light conditions. The semiconductors can be printed like inks, resulting in a much lower production costs. In March 2006, the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund also invested in Plextronics to support its Plexcore HIL for solid-state lighting. Pennsylvania has one of the nation's most progressive alternative energy portfolio standards, stating that by 2020, 18 percent of all retail energy must come from clean, efficient and advanced resources.