Urban deployment and performance analysis of organic photovoltaic devices: Experimental and theoretical insights

The growing demand for sustainable energy has driven significant interest in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies due to its unique advantages such as flexibility, light weight, and semi-transparency, enabling integration into various urban environments. This study investigates the real-world performance and degradation mechanisms of commercial OPV modules produced by SUNEW (Brazil). A monitoring campaign was conducted at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), where panels were installed on glass facades and rooftops. Electrical characterization followed the ISOS protocols for light (O-2) and dark (D-1) conditions, and data analysis employed thermionic emission and space-charge-limited current (SCLC) models to evaluate charge transport mechanisms. Results revealed a progressive increase in series resistance and a transition from injection-limited to transport-limited conduction, attributed to morphological degradation of the active layer. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed compositional and chemical changes in the polymeric layers after environmental exposure, particularly involving oxygen and sulfur species. These findings provide insights into the operational stability of OPV panels under tropical climatic conditions and highlight key degradation pathways that affect charge mobility and overall device performance. The results contribute to understanding OPV lifecycle behaviour and to improving the design and durability of next-generation organic solar technologies. • External evaluation of commercial OPV modules in a subtropical climate. • ISOS O-2 and D-1 tests reveal increased series resistance over operation time. • AFM and XPS confirm morphological and chemical degradation in active layers. • Degradation pathways elucidated to support improved OPV stability and design.