Temperature dependence for the photovoltaic device parameters of polymer-fullerene solar cells under operating conditions

We report on the temperature dependence of various photovoltaic device parameters of solar cells, fabricated from interpenetrating networks of conjugated polymers with fullerenes, in the wide temperature range of their possible operating conditions (25-60°C). The open-circuit voltage was found to decrease linearly with increasing temperature. For the short-circuit current, we observed a monotonic increase with increasing temperature, followed by a saturation region. The rate of this increase (coupled to a corresponding increase for the fill factor) was found to overtake the corresponding rate of decrease in voltage, resulting in an overall increase of the energy conversion efficiency. The efficiency was observed to reach a maximum value in the approximate range 47-60°C. The results are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms for photovoltage generation and charge carrier transport in the conjugated polymer-fullerene composite, and in particular, thermally activated charge carrier mobility.