Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells : DigInfo
Dec 13th, 2008 by Mr.Burton
DigInfo – http://movie.diginfo.tv
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.”
Duration : 0:2:11
Anything that saves …
Anything that saves a lot of money…I’m sold.
I’m not sure about …
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
Sweet. Makes for a …
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?
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
well they are
As long as they are …
As long as they are economical.
they have a good …
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%)
Is it possible to …
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.
Less radiation …
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!
What exactly?
What exactly?
Although there are …
Although there are other potential advantages to the DSC that were not mentioned.
Sadly it is not …
Sadly it is not more efficient.
Hopefully it is …
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.