The future of organic photovoltaic solar cells as a direct power source for consumer electronics

As the search for marketable photovoltaic solar cells continues, organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells have been identified as a technology with many attractive features for commercialization. Most photovoltaic technologies on the market today were improved in the consumer electronics market segment. A similar evolution has been envisioned for OPV. Hence this paper investigates consumer preferences for solar cells directly powering consumer electronics. Choice experiments were designed and responses were collected using a random sample of 300 individuals from the Flemish region (northern part of Belgium). Results allow for computation of attribute importance, willingness to pay (WTP), and simulation of theoretical market share. These measures point towards OPV being able to reach considerable market share in the long run, bearing in mind that efforts are first needed in elevating OPV's efficiency and lifetime as they most determine consumers' preferences. Price is found to be the least important product characteristic for OPV solar cells to be incorporated in consumer electronics devices. We therefore warn against generalizing attributes’ importance across the boundaries of market segments.

► We investigate consumer preferences for solar powered consumer electronics.
► We assess the match between Flemish consumer preferences and OPV solar cells.
► Results indicate OPV being able to reach considerable market share in the long run.
► Efforts are required first in increasing efficiency and lifetime.
► Esthetics and integratability are more important than cost.