United States Organic Solar Cell (OPV) Market 2025 | Growth Drivers, Key Players & Investment Opportunities – openPR.com

Organic Solar Cell (OPV) Market: A Report on Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

The Organic Solar Cell (OPV) market is projected for significant expansion, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% for the forecast period of 2024-2031. This growth is intrinsically linked to global efforts to achieve several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Technological Advancements and Innovation Driving SDG 9

Recent research and development activities underscore the industry’s commitment to innovation, a cornerstone of SDG 9. These advancements are critical for enhancing the viability and efficiency of OPV technology as a mainstream clean energy source.

Key Developments in the United States

• Researchers achieved a landmark certified efficiency of 20.5% (up to 21% reported) for a binary Organic Solar Cell (OSC), a significant step toward making clean energy more accessible and affordable (SDG 7).
• A U.S.-China collaborative effort demonstrated improved device performance, reaching efficiencies of approximately 17.97% by modifying zinc-oxide interlayers, showcasing international cooperation in sustainable technology.
• Progress in solvent-tolerance and morphology optimisation has resulted in devices with approximately 19% power conversion efficiency, enhancing the reliability and industrial applicability of OPVs (SDG 9).
• Current research focuses on scalable and stable OPV architectures, emphasizing flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective solutions that support sustainable infrastructure and can be integrated into urban environments (SDG 11).

Key Developments in Japan

• Kaneka Corporation’s initiation of pilot-scale production of OPV modules marks a crucial move from research to industrial application, directly supporting the infrastructure and industrialization goals of SDG 9.
• Japanese research institutes are actively improving material and device engineering, aligning with global efforts to enhance the stability and efficiency of OPVs for widespread adoption as a clean energy source (SDG 7).
• There is a growing focus on building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and flexible applications, which are vital for developing sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) by turning buildings into energy-generating assets.
• Ongoing material science research in Japan is advancing OPV technology towards commercial viability, contributing to a sustainable industrial base (SDG 9) and providing tools for climate action (SDG 13).

Market Segmentation Analysis in the Context of Sustainability

Analysis by Type and Material

The market segmentation reflects a focus on efficiency and application-specific material science, which is essential for scaling up clean energy solutions.

• Bilayer membrane heterojunction devices (50% share) and Small molecule-based devices (55% share) lead due to high efficiency and stability. These advancements are critical for applications in consumer electronics and BIPV, promoting energy efficiency and sustainable urban development (SDG 11, SDG 12).
• Schottky devices (30% share) and Polymer-based devices (45% share) offer cost-effectiveness and flexibility, enabling the integration of solar technology into a wider range of products, including automotive and wearables, thus supporting a transition to more sustainable consumption patterns (SDG 12).

Analysis by Application

The diverse applications of OPVs highlight their potential to integrate renewable energy into daily life, a key aspect of achieving SDG 7 and SDG 11.

1. Consumer Electronics (35%): Integration into displays, sensors, and wearables promotes energy-efficient devices.
2. BIPV & Architecture (25%): A direct contribution to SDG 11 by enabling buildings to generate their own clean energy, reducing urban carbon footprints.
3. Wearable Devices (15%): Powers low-energy health and fitness monitors, supporting well-being with minimal environmental impact.
4. Automotive (15%): Use in displays and sensors contributes to energy efficiency in the transport sector, aligning with goals for sustainable transportation systems.

Analysis by End-User

Widespread adoption across various sectors demonstrates a collective move towards sustainable energy practices.

• Commercial (40%): Adoption in corporate buildings and public installations for smart windows and sensors showcases a commitment to sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9) and clean energy (SDG 7).
• Residential (25%): Demand for smart home solutions and BIPV empowers individuals to contribute to sustainable communities (SDG 11).
• Industrial (20%): Use in factory automation and equipment monitoring enhances industrial efficiency and reduces energy consumption, supporting SDG 9.

Regional Analysis and Global Commitment to Clean Energy

The regional distribution of the OPV market reflects varying levels of investment and adoption in renewable technologies, highlighting a global push towards SDG 7.

• North America (35%): Leads due to advanced technology adoption and smart building projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable innovation and infrastructure.
• Europe (25%): Supported by robust investment in BIPV and automotive applications, reflecting the region’s strong policy focus on climate action (SDG 13) and sustainable cities (SDG 11).
• Asia Pacific (25%): Fueled by its role as a hub for consumer electronics and manufacturing, this region is pivotal in scaling the production of clean energy technologies (SDG 9).
• Latin America (7%) and Middle East & Africa (8%): Represent emerging markets with growing potential to leverage OPV technology for renewable energy projects and smart building initiatives, contributing to their sustainable development pathways.

Key Industry Stakeholders

The following corporations are central to the innovation and commercialization of OPV technology, driving the market forward and enabling the achievement of global sustainability targets:

• Heliatek GmbH
• ARMOR
• infinity V
• Novaled GmbH
• Sundew
• NanoFlex Power Corporation
• Moresco Corporation
• Alfa Aesar
• Ningbo Polycrown Solar Tech Co., Ltd
• TOSHIBA CORPORATION

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the development and market growth of Organic Solar Cells (OPVs), a renewable energy technology. By focusing on improving efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, the article directly addresses the goal of increasing access to clean and affordable energy sources as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The text is rich with examples of innovation and industrial development. It highlights significant advancements in scientific research (e.g., achieving higher power conversion efficiencies), international research collaborations, and the scaling of manufacturing from laboratory to “pilot-scale production.” This aligns with the goal of fostering innovation and building resilient, sustainable infrastructure and industries.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article explicitly mentions the application of OPVs in “building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) & architecture,” which accounts for a 25% market share. This technology helps create energy-efficient buildings and smart windows, contributing directly to making cities more sustainable, resilient, and reducing their environmental footprint.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  While not explicitly named, the entire context of developing and promoting solar energy technology is a fundamental action against climate change. By providing a cleaner alternative to carbon-emitting energy sources, the advancements in OPVs discussed in the article contribute to the broader goal of mitigating climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article supports this target by discussing the market growth of a renewable energy technology. The forecast “CAGR of 4.1%” for the OPV market indicates an increasing share and adoption of this clean energy source.

2. Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.

   This target is directly addressed by the mention of a “U.S.-China collaborative research” project that led to significant improvements in OPV device performance. This exemplifies the international cooperation needed to advance clean energy technology.

3. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

   The move by Japan’s Kaneka Corporation to begin “pilot-scale production of organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules” is a clear example of building industrial capacity for a clean technology, which is a key component of this target.

4. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.

   The article is replete with evidence supporting this target. It details numerous research breakthroughs, such as achieving “up to 21 % efficiency,” and highlights a continuous focus on “material and device-engineering improvements” and “scalable, stable organic solar cell architectures.”

5. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.

   The significant market share (25%) and development of BIPV applications contribute to this target. By integrating solar power generation directly into building materials, BIPV reduces a city’s reliance on centralized, often fossil-fuel-based, power grids, thereby lowering the urban environmental impact.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Power Conversion Efficiency Percentage

  The article provides specific, measurable data on the efficiency of OPVs, such as “up to 21 % efficiency,” “17.96-17.97 % efficiency,” and “~ 19 % power conversion efficiencies.” This serves as a direct quantitative indicator for measuring progress in scientific research and technological capability under Target 9.5.

• Market Growth Rate (CAGR)

  The projected “CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2024-2031” is a key economic indicator that measures the rate of adoption and the increasing share of this renewable energy technology in the market, which is relevant for tracking progress towards Target 7.2.

• Scaling of Production and Manufacturing

  The mention of Kaneka Corporation’s “pilot-scale production” is a qualitative indicator of progress. It shows that the technology is moving from the research and development phase to industrial application, which is a crucial step for achieving Target 9.4.

• International Research Collaborations

  The specific example of the “U.S.-China collaborative research” project is an indicator of international cooperation in the field of clean energy, directly aligning with the measurement of progress for Target 7.a.

• Market Share of Sustainable Applications

  The statistic that “BIPV & architecture account for 25%” of the application market is a quantifiable indicator. It measures the extent to which this clean technology is being integrated into urban infrastructure, which is relevant for assessing progress towards Target 11.6.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openpr.com