Emerging flexible photovoltaic technology: From materials to devices

Abstract The third‐generation photovoltaic technologies such as perovskite solar cells and organic solar cells, have low‐temperature and solution‐processing ability, flexibility and lightweight, which is expected to be developed into a wearable device that fits the human body. Here, the flexible substrates, transparent electrode materials, photovoltaic materials and devices for flexible solar cells are systematically introduced. First, the flexible substrates regarding their suitability are provided. Then, the research progress of commonly used transparent electrodes is reviewed, including poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), metal nanowires, carbon‐based materials, and composite electrode materials. Next, we summarize how to realize and optimize flexible devices, and how to balance the power conversion efficiency and mechanical stability of the device. Finally, we propose several promising research directions for intrinsically flexible solar cells.