The key requirements to construct highly foldable solar cells, including structure design based on tuning the neutral axis plane, and adopting flexible alternatives including substrates, transparent electrodes and absorbers, are intensively discussed.
Foldable solar cells, with the advantages of size compactness and shape transformation, have promising applications as power sources in wearable and portable electronics, building and vehicle integrated photovoltaics.
While individual solar cells can generate electricity on their own, they are typically assembled together into a solar panel for increased power output. A standard solar panel consists of a series of interconnected solar cells enclosed in a protective glass casing that offers durability and allows sunlight to reach the cells.
However, in contrast to mild bending with curvature radius of several millimeters, folding generates the crease with extreme curvature radius of sub‐millimeter, resulting in the appearance of large strain and stress. As a result, it is highly challenging to realize robustly foldable and highly efficient solar cells.
When an external circuit is connected to the solar cell, this voltage drives the flow of electrons through the circuit, delivering power to an external load. While individual solar cells can generate electricity on their own, they are typically assembled together into a solar panel for increased power output.
The configuration of solar cells within a panel plays a crucial role in maximizing efficiency. Beyond the traditional flat-panel designs, bifacial solar panels are gaining attention. These panels can capture sunlight from both the front and back surfaces, taking advantage of reflective surfaces below the panel.