SoftPV Wins CES 2021 Innovation Award for 3D Ultra-Miniature Solar Cell

[Asia Economy Reporter Junhyung Lee] SoftPV announced on the 30th that it has developed a three-dimensional ultra-small solar cell called 'SoftCell' and will receive the Innovation Award at CES 2021, the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition opening in the United States in January next year.

The SoftCell developed by SoftPV is a solar cell developed in the form of a silicon ball with a diameter of about 1mm. It differs from conventional flat solar cells. One cell can produce about 0.35 milliwatts (mW) of power, and by using a transparent and flexible film as the substrate, it can be applied in various aspects of daily life such as wearables and smart transportation systems.

Flat solar cells have the disadvantage that power generation is greatest when light enters vertically, so power production is not consistent depending on time, location, or season. On the other hand, the three-dimensional spherical SoftCell allows light coming from all directions to enter vertically, enabling more efficient power generation compared to flat solar cells.

SoftPV explained, "It can produce more power per unit area than existing solar modules, and when multiple layers are stacked, power generation efficiency can be maximized," adding, "It can be applied in various fields such as artificial intelligence based on Internet of Things (IoT) sensors."

Hyunwoo Ahn, CEO of SoftPV, stated, "We plan to showcase the world's first transparent glass solar power module optimized for zero-energy buildings," and added, "The era will come when, moving away from the conventional solar power generation method requiring large areas, electric vehicles will be charged with power generated from solar trees or flowers in gardens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.