Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells : DigInfo

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The Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology has been researching and developing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) as a project to create new industry in Shimane Prefecture and has developed a 12cm by 12cm square, highly durable sub-module that has cleared the JIS standard heat-resistance test for the first time in the world. The durability of the new sub-module is comparable to that of widely used silicon based solar cells.

Silicon shortages are becoming a major issue, but unlike silicon solar cells, DSC type solar cells do not use silicon and do not require large-scale production equipment, so drastic cost reductions are expected. In order to prevent problematic electrolyte leaks within the solar cell, the Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology improved the sealant and silver wiring insulation and successfully achieved a perfect seal even at high temperatures.

When a feasibility test was conducted on the DSC solar cell, it was found to comply with the JIS standard used to confirm the durability of silicon based solar cells, and when left for 1,000 hours in a high temperature environment of 85° Celsius, the solar cell satisfactorily cleared the test with its performance degradation remaining within the 5% margin.

Dr. Shuji Noda stated, "Currently, we are still in the process of producing DSC at a laboratory level only, but we hope to find a business partner who can help us develop a low cost mass production system for DSC solar cells."

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[raphaelmakokha]

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

[MrSolarenergy]

are those for sale .. lol

[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.

[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

[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

[SSJLIGHT]

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

[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]

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]

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