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Research Article

The Role of Organic Solar Cells in U.S. Energy Transition: Technical Advances, Deployment Challenges, and Policy Pathways

Authors

  • Ololade Funke Olaitan David Eccles School of Business, Information Systems, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9454-1142
  • Ikechukwu Okoh Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
  • Philip Ugbede Ojo Onuche Department of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Edwardsville, IL, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1703-6806
  • Jamiu Olayinka Alabi Department of Construction Management and Technology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4931-7503
  • Precious Esong Sone Department of Healthcare Management (MBA), East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0211-0053

    Esongprecious@gmail.com

  • Kiran K. Kalyanaraman Department of Data Analytics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
  • John Ukanu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1171-0011
  • Clinton Arthur Department of Chemistry, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4677-858X

Abstract

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have shed their “lab curiosity” label as efficiencies near 19% and module lifetimes approach a decade. This hybrid scoping–narrative review examines OSCs’ role in achieving U.S. goals of a carbon-free grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050. We analyzed 80 peer-reviewed studies, government reports, and field trials (2015–2025), grouping insights into technical advances, deployment experience, policy frameworks, and equity considerations. Three themes emerge: Materials & Performance, where non-fullerene acceptors and tandem designs halve the gap with silicon and boost stability; Deployment Realities, demonstrated by façade films in Germany, transparent solar windows in California, and pilot roll-to-roll lines, alongside scale-up, certification, and bankability hurdles; and Policy & Equity Gaps, revealing incentives skewed toward silicon yet highlighting OSCs’ low-toxicity materials and architectural flexibility for energy justice. We recommend federal support for pilot manufacturing, accelerated standards, and equity-focused demonstrations in schools, affordable housing, and community centers. With coordinated R&D, policy, and community engagement, OSCs can evolve from niche novelty to a complementary layer of America’s solar portfolio.

Keywords:

Non-Fullerene Acceptors OPV Stability Organic Solar Cells Photovoltaics Tandem Architectures U.S. Clean-Energy Policy

Article information

Journal

Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology

Volume (Issue)

2(1), (2025)

Pages

49-60

Published

26-05-2025

How to Cite

Olaitan, O. F., Okoh, I., Onuche, P. U. O., Alabi, J. O., Sone, P. E., Kalyanaraman, K. K., Ukanu, J., & Arthur, C. (2025). The Role of Organic Solar Cells in U.S. Energy Transition: Technical Advances, Deployment Challenges, and Policy Pathways. Journal of Environment, Climate, and Ecology, 2(1), 49-60. https://doi.org/10.69739/jece.v2i1.546

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