Led by SEE professor Vincenzo Pecunia and his Sustainable Optoelectronics Research Group, the study establishes a benchmark for accurate, reproducible measurement of indoor photovoltaic (IPV) efficiency under real-world lighting conditions. The work, recently published in the journal Joule, marks SFU's first research article to appear in the high-impact energy publication-and the university's first journal cover feature in Joule.
Indoor photovoltaics convert ambient light into electricity to power small electronics such as sensors, IoT systems and smart devices. These technologies could reduce reliance on disposable batteries, which pose major environmental concerns due to their toxic chemical components and waste. However, IPV testing has long been hampered by inconsistent measurement methods arising from the wide variability of indoor lighting environments.
"IPV development requires accurate, benchmarkable performance data, which is currently hindered by inconsistencies in characterization and benchmarking methods," said Pecunia. "The field currently faces a reliability crisis, with reported advances often obscured by measurement inaccuracies."
To tackle this, the SFU team analyzed how diverse test setups and light conditions influence performance results. They discovered that IPV efficiency readings can vary dramatically under diffuse or scattered light-the type most common indoors-making data difficult to compare between laboratories. The researchers developed a set of standardized testing strategies to ensure IPV performance measurements remain reliable under realistic lighting scenarios.
Their work also addresses a major gap in the way indoor light spectra are classified. The study revealed that simply describing a bulb as "warm white" or "cool white" is inadequate, as these labels cover hundreds of spectral variations. To overcome this, the group proposed a universal "reference cell" that acts as a calibration tool-translating indoor lighting into standardized performance benchmarks across different research facilities.
By establishing a consistent foundation for IPV characterization and reporting, Pecunia and his team aim to remove one of the key barriers to commercial adoption. Their guidelines are expected to help researchers and manufacturers design more efficient devices capable of harvesting light from everyday indoor environments, powering the next generation of smart, sustainable technology.
Research Report:Accurate performance characterization, reporting, and benchmarking for indoor photovoltaics
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