The stereotypical image of solar cells may be of panels placed on the roofs of homes or of vast rivers of panels lined up on large swaths of land, often called mega-solar projects.

But there is a type of solar cell that is quite different: organic solar cells, which are often much thinner, lighter and more flexible.

Although the amount of energy that organic solar cells can generate from sunlight is lower than conventional cells, experts say that there is room for improvement, with many arguing they could be an effective tool for slashing carbon dioxide emissions, in part, due to their pliable nature.