IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v57y2013icp5-11.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A patent landscape analysis for organic photovoltaic solar cells: Identifying the technology's development phase

Author

Listed:
  • Lizin, Sebastien
  • Leroy, Julie
  • Delvenne, Catherine
  • Dijk, Marc
  • De Schepper, Ellen
  • Van Passel, Steven

Abstract

Organic photovoltaics (OPV) have developed into a vast research area. Progress in various directions has made it difficult to monitor the technology's precise development state. We offer a patent landscape analysis over all OPV devices, their substrates and encapsulation materials to provide an overview of patenting activity from a historical, organizational, geographical and technological point of view. Such an exercise is instrumental for private companies and research institutes aiming at both internal or external technology creation. We discuss our findings in the context of the Industrial Life Cycle model and find OPV still residing in the fluid technology development phase. Technology development is still following an exponential growth path, with the majority of patents coming from the Asian continent and in general private companies. For devices, the main technological focus can be traced back to the “H01L-031” international patent classification (IPC) main group. For the queried substrates, the most attention has gone to glass, but paper and textile have drawn significant interest too. Finally, encapsulation is found to be a less mature research field given the smaller number of patent families. The latter shows that the technology has not matured to the level where processing is carried out on a commercial scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Lizin, Sebastien & Leroy, Julie & Delvenne, Catherine & Dijk, Marc & De Schepper, Ellen & Van Passel, Steven, 2013. "A patent landscape analysis for organic photovoltaic solar cells: Identifying the technology's development phase," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 5-11.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:57:y:2013:i:c:p:5-11
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.01.027
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148113000657
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2013.01.027?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nick Johnstone & Ivan Haščič & David Popp, 2010. "Renewable Energy Policies and Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Patent Counts," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 45(1), pages 133-155, January.
    2. Feltrin, Andrea & Freundlich, Alex, 2008. "Material considerations for terawatt level deployment of photovoltaics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 180-185.
    3. Alharbi, Fahhad & Bass, John D. & Salhi, Abdelmajid & Alyamani, Ahmed & Kim, Ho-Cheol & Miller, Robert D., 2011. "Abundant non-toxic materials for thin film solar cells: Alternative to conventional materials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 2753-2758.
    4. De Schepper, Ellen & Van Passel, Steven & Manca, Jean & Thewys, Theo, 2012. "Combining photovoltaics and sound barriers – A feasibility study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 297-303.
    5. Reich, N.H. & van Sark, W.G.J.H.M. & Turkenburg, W.C., 2011. "Charge yield potential of indoor-operated solar cells incorporated into Product Integrated Photovoltaic (PIPV)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 642-647.
    6. Greijer, Helena & Karlson, Lennart & Lindquist, Sten-Eric & Anders Hagfeldt,, 2001. "Environmental aspects of electricity generation from a nanocrystalline dye sensitized solar cell system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 27-39.
    7. Stephen R. Forrest, 2004. "The path to ubiquitous and low-cost organic electronic appliances on plastic," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6986), pages 911-918, April.
    8. Yang, Yun Yun & Akers, Lucy & Yang, Cynthia Barcelon & Klose, Thomas & Pavlek, Shelley, 2010. "Enhancing patent landscape analysis with visualization output," World Patent Information, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 203-220, September.
    9. Birgitte Andersen, 1999. "The hunt for S-shaped growth paths in technological innovation: a patent study," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 9(4), pages 487-526.
    10. Braun, Frauke G. & Hooper, Elizabeth & Wand, Robert & Zloczysti, Petra, 2011. "Holding a candle to innovation in concentrating solar power technologies: A study drawing on patent data," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2441-2456, May.
    11. Haupt, Reinhard & Kloyer, Martin & Lange, Marcus, 2007. "Patent indicators for the technology life cycle development," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 387-398, April.
    12. Nick Johnstone & Ivan Haščič & David Popp, 2017. "Erratum to: Renewable Energy Policies and Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Patent Counts," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 68(2), pages 441-444, October.
    13. Audenaert, Amaryllis & De Boeck, Liesje & De Cleyn, Sven & Lizin, Sebastien & Adam, Jean-François, 2010. "An economic evaluation of photovoltaic grid connected systems (PVGCS) in Flanders for companies: A generic model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2674-2682.
    14. Asim, Nilofar & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman & Ahmadi, Shideh & Saeedfar, Kasra & Alghoul, M.A. & Saadatian, Omidreza & Zaidi, Saleem H., 2012. "A review on the role of materials science in solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5834-5847.
    15. Audenaert, Amaryllis & De Boeck, Liesje & De Cleyn, Sven & Lizin, Sebastien & Adam, Jean-Franois, 2010. "An economic evaluation of photovoltaic grid connected systems (PVGCS) in Flanders for companies: a generic model," Working Papers 2010/16, Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, Faculteit Economie en Management.
    16. Ernst, Holger, 2003. "Patent information for strategic technology management," World Patent Information, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 233-242, September.
    17. Keoleian, Gregory A. & Lewis, Geoffrey McD., 2003. "Modeling the life cycle energy and environmental performance of amorphous silicon BIPV roofing in the US," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 271-293.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Martin Kalthaus, 2020. "Knowledge recombination along the technology life cycle," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 643-704, July.
    2. Sampaio, Priscila Gonçalves Vasconcelos & González, Mario Orestes Aguirre & de Vasconcelos, Rafael Monteiro & dos Santos, Marllen Aylla Teixeira & de Toledo, José Carlos & Pereira, Jonathan Paulo Pinh, 2018. "Photovoltaic technologies: Mapping from patent analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 215-224.
    3. Chang, Shu-Hao & Fan, Chin-Yuan, 2016. "Identification of the technology life cycle of telematics: A patent-based analytical perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-10.
    4. Bruns, Stephan B. & Kalthaus, Martin, 2020. "Flexibility in the selection of patent counts: Implications for p-hacking and evidence-based policymaking," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    5. Hu, Ziyang & Zhang, Jianjun & Huang, Like & Sun, Jingyang & Zhang, Ting & He, Hongyun & Zhang, Jing & Zhang, Houcheng & Zhu, Yuejin, 2015. "Natural drying effect on active layer for achieving high performance in polymer solar cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 11-17.
    6. Sungho Son & Nam-Wook Cho, 2020. "Technology Fusion Characteristics in the Solar Photovoltaic Industry of South Korea: A Patent Network Analysis Using IPC Co-Occurrence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-19, October.
    7. Mueller, Simon C. & Sandner, Philipp G. & Welpe, Isabell M., 2015. "Monitoring innovation in electrochemical energy storage technologies: A patent-based approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 537-544.
    8. Benson, Christopher L. & Magee, Christopher L., 2014. "On improvement rates for renewable energy technologies: Solar PV, wind turbines, capacitors, and batteries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 745-751.
    9. Chandra, Praveena & Dong, Andy, 2018. "The relation between knowledge accumulation and technical value in interdisciplinary technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 235-244.
    10. Wang, Xiaoli & Daim, Tugrul & Huang, Lucheng & Li, Zhiqiang & Shaikh, Ruqia & Kassi, Diby Francois, 2022. "Monitoring the development trend and competition status of high technologies using patent analysis and bibliographic coupling: The case of electronic design automation technology," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    11. Huang, Hung-Chun & Su, Hsin-Ning, 2019. "The innovative fulcrums of technological interdisciplinarity: An analysis of technology fields in patents," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 84, pages 59-70.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fusillo, Fabrizio, 2023. "Green Technologies and diversity in the knowledge search and output phases: Evidence from European Patents," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(4).
    2. Martin Kalthaus, 2020. "Knowledge recombination along the technology life cycle," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 643-704, July.
    3. Bruns, Stephan B. & Kalthaus, Martin, 2020. "Flexibility in the selection of patent counts: Implications for p-hacking and evidence-based policymaking," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
    4. Dolphin, G. & Pollitt, M., 2020. "Identifying Innovative Actors in the Electricicity Supply Industry Using Machine Learning: An Application to UK Patent Data," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2013, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    5. Plank, Josef & Doblinger, Claudia, 2018. "The firm-level innovation impact of public R&D funding: Evidence from the German renewable energy sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 430-438.
    6. Lanzi, Elisa & Verdolini, Elena & Haščič, Ivan, 2011. "Efficiency-improving fossil fuel technologies for electricity generation: Data selection and trends," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(11), pages 7000-7014.
    7. Chang, Shu-Hao & Fan, Chin-Yuan, 2016. "Identification of the technology life cycle of telematics: A patent-based analytical perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-10.
    8. Zhao, Ruikai & Zhao, Li & Deng, Shuai & Zheng, Nan, 2015. "Trends in patents for solar thermal utilization in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 852-862.
    9. Park, Youngjin & Yoon, Janghyeok, 2017. "Application technology opportunity discovery from technology portfolios: Use of patent classification and collaborative filtering," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 170-183.
    10. Valeria Costantini & Francesco Crespi & Giovanni Marin & Elena Paglialunga, 2016. "Eco-innovation, sustainable supply chains and environmental performance in European industries," LEM Papers Series 2016/19, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    11. Hille, Erik & Althammer, Wilhelm & Diederich, Henning, 2020. "Environmental regulation and innovation in renewable energy technologies: Does the policy instrument matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    12. Christoph P. Kiefer & Pablo Del Río González & Javier Carrillo‐Hermosilla, 2019. "Drivers and barriers of eco‐innovation types for sustainable transitions: A quantitative perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 155-172, January.
    13. Francesco Nicolli & Francesco Vona & Lionel Nesta, 2012. "Determinants of Renewable Energy Innovation: Environmental Policies vs. Market Regulation," Working Papers 201204, University of Ferrara, Department of Economics.
    14. Moritz Bohland & Sebastian Schwenen, 2020. "Technology Policy and Market Structure: Evidence from the Power Sector," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1856, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    15. Cristina Peñasco, 2025. "France's Green Horizon: Supply-Side Drivers for a Competitive Transition in Export Markets," Working papers 990, Banque de France.
    16. Zhangsheng Liu & Liuqingqing Yang & Liqin Fan, 2021. "Induced Effect of Environmental Regulation on Green Innovation: Evidence from the Increasing-Block Pricing Scheme," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-15, March.
    17. Curci, Ylenia & Mongeau Ospina, Christian A., 2016. "Investigating biofuels through network analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 60-72.
    18. Sandrine Mathy & Patrick Criqui & Katharina Knoop & Manfred Fischedick & Sascha Samadi, 2016. "Uncertainty management and the dynamic adjustment of deep decarbonization pathways," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(sup1), pages 47-62, June.
    19. Bongsuk Sung & Myoung Shik Choi & Woo-Yong Song, 2019. "Exploring the Effects of Government Policies on Economic Performance: Evidence Using Panel Data for Korean Renewable Energy Technology Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
    20. van den Broek, Tijs & van Veenstra, Anne Fleur, 2018. "Governance of big data collaborations: How to balance regulatory compliance and disruptive innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 330-338.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:57:y:2013:i:c:p:5-11. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.