BM7 semiconductor system – Driving new applications for OPV (Organic Photovoltaics) | Brilliant Matters
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Author: Varun Vohra, Engineering Department Manager, Brilliant Matters | v.vohra@brilliantmatters.com
Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs) for Solar Heat Gain (SHG) Mitigation
Buildings are among the largest contributors to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for a significant portion of worldwide energy-related CO₂ output. They are responsible for roughly one-third of global final energy use, with operational energy demand dominated by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). In modern commercial and high-performance residential buildings, HVAC systems typically represent 30% to 60% of total building energy consumption [1]. In recent years, buildings with high glazing ratios or window-to-wall ratios (WWRs) exceeding 70% have become increasingly common worldwide. This trend has been enabled by advances in high-strength glazing materials and window-frame engineering, which allow large glass façades to be implemented safely while enhancing daylight access and spatial openness for occupants. However, high WWRs also substantially increase cooling demand, often making HVAC systems the dominant contributor to building electricity consumption, accounting for more than 75% of total electrical use in some cases [2]. Conventional glazing lets through a large fraction of near-infrared (NIR) solar radiation (700–2500 nm), which carries more than half of the sun’s thermal energy. Transmitted NIR radiation is absorbed by interior surfaces and re-emitted as heat, increasing indoor temperatures and driving up cooling loads.
Technologies that selectively filter NIR radiation, such as those used in Burj Khalifa, directly address this challenge by mitigating SHG at the façade and glazing levels. Similar to conventional solar heat-blocking technologies—i.e., solar control films that reflect or absorb NIR radiation, OPV panels strongly attenuate NIR transmission while preserving usable visible light transmission and maintaining aesthetically pleasing, neutral or soothing colors. As global roadmaps and agency reports consistently identify buildings as a key sector for energy efficiency and decarbonization [3], OPV panels demonstrate strong potential as next-generation SHG mitigation technologies that can simultaneously reduce HVAC loads and contribute to onsite power generation, thereby improving the overall energy efficiency of modern buildings without compromising architectural design.
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Unlike conventional silicon PV panels, which are manufactured through energy-intensive processes, flexible OPV panels are produced using low-temperature, high-throughput, and high-yield roll-to-roll techniques similar to newspaper printing (Figure 1a). As a result, OPV panels can achieve energy payback times that are significantly shorter than those of conventional PV technologies [4]. Since they typically weigh less than 1 kg/m² and, in many cases, around 0.5 kg/m²—about 20 times lighter than silicon PV panels—they impose minimal additional structural loads and reduce stress on building structures. Despite their favorable weight, form factor, and NIR-blocking capability, OPV panels have not yet achieved widespread adoption.
The first barrier to widespread adoption has been the limited advancement of active layer systems in commercial OPV modules over the last decade, resulting in stagnation in operational power output and lifetime. Throughout that decade, commercial OPV panels relied on the same organic semiconductor system in the active layer—i.e., the key layer responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity (Figure 1b). While this pioneering industrial active layer played an important role in launching the industry and enabling the development and optimization of roll-to-roll manufacturing processes for OPV panels, the technology continued to exhibit limited performance, with power outputs stagnating at around 30 W/m² under standard test conditions and operational lifetimes restricted to approximately five years.
Drawing on Brilliant Matters’ expertise in chemistry, ink formulation, and engineering, alongside years of collaboration with leading printed electronics manufacturers, we commercialized the BM7 active layer solution in 2025. BM7 is produced via low-complexity synthetic routes and without toxic precursors, making this OPV solution highly scalable while maintaining production costs compatible with mass-market adoption. Additionally, BM7 was developed to ensure hassle-free manufacturing of industrial OPV panels by focusing on producing high-quality, defect-free active layers. Commercial 32-cell OPV panels employing BM7 active layers produce 60–70 W/m2 and open-circuit voltages of approximately 25.6 V (0.8 V per cell) under standard test conditions. Their outdoor operational lifetime is estimated to be approximately 10 years, a significant improvement compared to the aforementioned first generation of OPV panels. As a result, BM7 has emerged as the market-leading active layer for see-through flexible and lightweight commercial PV panels, paving the way for the large-scale adoption of OPV technology, particularly for retrofitted building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) applications.
In fact, BIPV provides an ideal framework to address the second major barrier to the widespread adoption of OPV technology, namely, the lack of clear real-world case studies demonstrating the short monetary payback time (MPBT) and high return on investment (ROI) of OPV panels. When applied to transparent surfaces such as the glazing of modern or high-rise buildings, BM7’s subtle tint can create a visually soothing atmosphere for occupants while still allowing views of the outside. This soft blue coloration resembles the tone of the sky, allowing OPV surfaces to blend naturally with surrounding environments. The lightweight flexible panels, which are less than 1 mm thick, can easily be retrofitted with minimal cost to existing façades and glazing or integrated into modern smart designs like self-powered roller shades, all of which generate electricity while providing solar control (Figure 2) [5]. The panels block more than 75% of radiation in the 700–1400 nm range and approximately 95% in the 1400–2500 nm range (Figure 3a). To assess the thermal control capacity of BM7 panels, we simulated SHG in buildings with high glazing ratios using an acrylic box with one side exposed to a halogen lamp—i.e., artificial sunlight. A mild temperature rise of 14°C over 15 min was observed when the BM7 panel was applied to the exposed side of the building model, which is significantly lower than the approximately 40°C rise measured for the uncoated building model (Figure 3b). This experiment also confirms that BM7 panels provide superior thermal control compared to a commercial solar-control film under identical conditions, as the latter produced a higher temperature increase of 20°C, highlighting the potential of BM7 panels to reduce cooling demand and associated energy costs [6].
Applying conventional solar heat-blocking films to apartment windows can generate annual energy savings of 9–16% in Mexico [7]. Depending on location, solar exposure, WWR, baseline glazing performance, and building characteristics, even higher savings may be achievable. Based on findings from the Mexico study and previous customer case studies, installing BM7 panels in the southern United States is expected to reduce HVAC energy demand by more than 10%, consistent with reported SHG mitigation benefits associated with solar-control glazing technologies. However, the magnitude of HVAC-related savings will vary depending on building envelope properties, HVAC system configuration, shading conditions, orientation, and local climate.
For a modern industrial building with 240 m² of glazing, installing BM7 OPV panels across all available surfaces would cost under US$170,000, with estimated annual savings of approximately US$60,000 from reduced HVAC demand and an additional US$5,000 from on-site energy generation. This illustrative case assumes a conservative power output of 50 W/m² and an operational lifetime of 10 years, while excluding any government incentives. Under these assumptions, the BM7 OPV panel-based system would deliver an MPBT and ROI of approximately 2.7 years and 280%, respectively. These results demonstrate that, beyond their energy-generation capability, BM7 OPV modules can provide substantial operational cost reductions through simultaneous HVAC load mitigation. Although the projected economic performance remains sensitive to site-specific factors such as electricity prices, solar exposure, orientation, and shading conditions, the system compares favorably with similarly sized silicon photovoltaic installations by offering a substantially shorter MPBT while remaining near the upper end of the typical ROI range.
Summary and Outlook
In conclusion, BM7-enabled OPV technology represents a meaningful advancement in retrofitted building-integrated energy solutions, addressing SHG mitigation, on-site power generation, and seamless architectural integration. By overcoming historical limitations in performance and lifetime, BM7 enables the practical and economic deployment of OPVs at scale. As the industry moves toward more distributed energy models such as low-voltage DC microgrids in commercial buildings, the concepts of delivering “power where it is needed” and “efficient energy use to reduce overall demand” are gaining traction, positioning integrated OPV systems as a natural fit for next-generation building design. In parallel, BM7 OPV panels contribute to contemporary aesthetics. Their subtle blue hue complements modern architectural design while minimizing visual impact, blending naturally with elements such as the sky seen through glazing surfaces (Figure 4).
Looking ahead, continued progress in materials and system integration is expected to further expand the role of OPVs across both new construction and retrofit applications, thereby supporting broader decarbonization efforts. Brilliant Matters welcomes collaboration with partners seeking to integrate OPV technology into their projects. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with our team to explore tailored solutions that combine performance, cost efficiency, and design integration.
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References
[1] Ryu, D.; Yoo, W. Ventilation-dominated energy savings in large commercial buildings: Multi-measure assessment revealing HVAC optimization priorities for hot-humid climates. Case Stud. Therm. Eng. 2025, 74, 107034.
[2] Abdou, Y; Kim, Y.K.; Abdou, A.; Anabtawi, R. Energy Optimization for Fenestration Design: Evidence-Based Retrofitting Solution for Office Buildings in the UAE. Buildings 2022, 12, 1541. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101541
[4] Yue, D.; Khatav, P.; You, F.; Darling, S.B. Deciphering the uncertainties in life cycle energy and environmental analysis of organic photovoltaics. Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5, 9163-9172. https://doi.org/10.1039/C2EE22597B
[7] Chavez-Galan, J.; Almanza, R. Solar filters based on iron oxides used as efficient windows for energy savings. Sol. Energy. 2007, 81, 13-19.
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