Multifunctional roles and advances of polymers in solar cell technologies: a review

Key Points

• Polymers enable solar cells to achieve efficiency greater than 18%, improving energy output significantly.
• Encapsulants ensure protection against UV and moisture, enhancing the longevity of solar cells under varied conditions.
• Self-cleaning coatings maintain up to 95% output, contributing to lower maintenance requirements and higher performance.
• Stretchable polymers open avenues for wearable solar modules, accommodating up to 50% strain while maintaining functionality.