Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells : DigInfo

[raphaelmakokha]

Hi how can we obtain a DSC module for outdoor operating conditions testing?

[MrSolarenergy]

are those for sale .. lol

[achoubey1]

Good to know about this. I am looking forward to have my own company on solar cell... may be in futute we see sometrhing like this... all the best..

[badphobar]

Maybe organic led technology will be a solar power implroveement in the future

[humexavier]

Less radiation waste idea:A Atomic Plant's atomic clock can be powered and energized,using a solar clock but doesn't use sun power but only laser light which is absorbed in clock's solar panel cells or photo voltaic cells which absorb laser light and sends to core battery.Reason atomic plant clock needs to use this technique is:Electrical wires if cut are dangerous/around atomic things,if old not fire safe;Long Fiber optic wires can send light energy and if cut,no problem just laser exposed!

[humexavier]

Is it possible to use your idea of dye solar cells with silicon,even using it in a atomic core device. Powering solar dye cells can be useful in many areas like a situation of using laser light on it instead of sun light and then measuring how much energy can be produced compared to solar light.

[SSJLIGHT]

Hopefully it is also more efficient than normal silicon cells utilizing more of the solar radiation it receives. But this is a very good step forward.

[MrGoldenSun69]

Sadly it is not more efficient.

[MrGoldenSun69]

Although there are other potential advantages to the DSC that were not mentioned.

[SSJLIGHT]

What exactly?

[chicken0317]

they have potential low cost, easy to handle, and flexible...and can also be used on windows....disadvantage are short lifespan, rather low efficiency

[Spastb00n]

Well, one advantage is, that even if the efficiency of these cells is only at 10%, while silicon based cells go up to 20% (in real applications), the predicted cost is so increadibly low, that you probably have to pay 1/10 for it.

So eventhough they do not convert much of the available sulight, they could be several times more cost-effective.

[DarkTemp0]

they have a good chance of becoming more efficient. They are still in their infancy. Provided a suitable dye they can use more wavelengths of light. Another important factor is the actual nanostructure of the Tio2, that can also be improved in the near future to be more "organised" so more of the nanoparticles are implicated in the energy production process. Another ideea being tested is to use quantum dots to replace the dye, this could boost efficiency by a good ammount (some presict to 96%)

[SSJLIGHT]

As long as they are economical.

[DarkTemp0]

well they are :) TiO2 is cheap, renewable and available. They are now searching for cheap dyes, experiments have been conducted with dyes extracted from plants like chlorophyll and others. In the case of quantum dots there are now cheaper and easier ways to make ZnSe quantum dots. Even now this solar cells are about 12% efficient, that makes a very good cost/efficiency ratio. The good thing is that they work even in cloudy days. I think that n about 3 years you'll have them on your roof or walls

[SSJLIGHT]

Sweet. Makes for a good investment on my greenhouse too. I can't wait to be independent on my power source. How much money would I save if I invest in this?

[DarkTemp0]

I'm not sure about how much they'll cost, but they are going to be a small fraction of the silicon based solar cell price. Even with the current development with a large enough surface area they can meet your energy needs. The sun gives an avarage of 164 Wats per square meter. Now you can calculate what surface area you need to cover with this 12% efficiency solar cells (you could also use an avarage of 100W/m2 to be on the safe side)You would save a lot because you buy them once not every month

[SSJLIGHT]

Anything that saves a lot of money...I'm sold.