A New Type of Architecture of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as an Alternative Pathway to Outdoor Photovoltaics

Costas Prouskas, Angelos Mourkas, Georgios Zois, Elefterios Lidorikis and Panos Patsalas
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Costas Prouskas: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Angelos Mourkas: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Georgios Zois: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Elefterios Lidorikis: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Panos Patsalas: Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The current investigation shows a possible new pathway for more efficient and cost-effective energy-harvesting photovoltaic devices. Our approach could permit all emerging technologies that are currently used for indoors and smart buildings to go a step forward and could be used for outdoor applications. The investigated architecture is a very promising geometry especially for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). It turns their main drawback, the lowering of their efficiency and lifetime when operating at high solar irradiation density, into an asset by increasing the total active area per horizontal unit area for light harvesting, while preserving the active elements from degradation and extending durable lifetime. The investigated architecture is based on a symmetric “U” type geometry, which is constructed by a highly reflective material on the inner surface. Solar irradiation is reflected internally at the bottom of the construction and splits towards two opposite sided solar cells; the two cells form a cavity where the solar light multiplies and is successively absorbed. Consequently, the vertically incoming irradiation is reduced when reaching the vertical internal sides on which the DSSCs are mounted. Thus, the solar cells operate at low light intensities, which provide significant lifetime extension and efficiency enhancement. Interestingly, the electrical energy per effective surface unit, which is produced by the two vertical DSSCs, is at least equal to that of a standalone, vertically irradiated cell. The advantage of the new architecture is that protects DSSCs from their degradation and deterioration, although the entire system operates under high illumination. This makes the cells more efficient outdoors, with a comparable performance to indoor conditions.

Keywords: solar; photovoltaics; dye-sensitized solar cells; DSSCs; solar trap; vertical geometry; outdoor applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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