Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Conventional Solar Cells (conventional + solar_cell)
Selected AbstractsA Thermoplastic Gel Electrolyte for Stable Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2007H. Wu Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are receiving considerable attention as low-cost alternatives to conventional solar cells. In DSSCs based on liquid electrolytes, a photoelectric efficiency of 11,% has been achieved, but potential problems in sealing the cells and the low long-term stability of these systems have impeded their practical use. Here, we present a thermoplastic gel electrolyte (TPGE) as an alternative to the liquid electrolytes used in DSSCs. The TPGE exhibits a thermoplastic character, high conductivity, long-term stability, and can be prepared by a simple and convenient protocol. The viscosity, conductivity, and phase state of the TPGE can be controlled by tuning the composition. Using 40,wt,% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the polymeric host, 60,wt,% propylene carbonate (PC) as the solvent, and 0.65,M KI and 0.065,M I2 as the ionic conductors, a TPGE with a conductivity of 2.61,mS,cm,2 is prepared. Based on this TPGE, a DSSC is fabricated with an overall light-to-electrical-energy conversion efficiency of 7.22,% under 100,mW,cm,2 irradiation. The present findings should accelerate the widespread use of DSSCs. [source] Towards Optimization of Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar CellsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 45 2009Yanhong Luo Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have received widespread attention owing to their low cost, easy fabrication, and relatively high solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency. Based on the nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode, Ru-polypyridyl-complex dye, liquid electrolyte with I,/I3, redox couple, and Pt counter electrode, DSCs have already exhibited an efficiency above 11% and offer an appealing alternative to conventional solar cells. However, further improvements in the efficiency and stability are still required to drive forward practical application. These improvements require the cooperative optimization of the component materials, structures, and processing techniques. In this Research News article, recent progress in DSCs made by our group are reviewed, including some novel approaches to the synthesis of solid-state and environmentally friendly electrolytes, the fabrication of alternative low-cost nanostructural electrodes, and the control of recombination at the interfaces. [source] Efficient nanocoax-based solar cellsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI - RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS, Issue 7 2010M. J. Naughton Abstract The power conversion efficiency of most thin film solar cells is compromised by competing optical and electronic constraints, wherein a cell must be thick enough to collect light yet thin enough to efficiently extract current. Here, we introduce a nanoscale solar architecture inspired by a well-known radio technology concept, the coaxial cable, that naturally resolves this "thick,thin" conundrum. Optically thick and elec- tronically thin amorphous silicon "nanocoax" cells are in the range of 8% efficiency, higher than any nanostructured thin film solar cell to date. Moreover, the thin nature of the cells reduces the Staebler,Wronski light-induced degradation effect, a major problem with conventional solar cells of this type. This nanocoax represents a new platform for low cost, high efficiency solar power. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Back-contact solar cells: a reviewPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2006Emmanuel Van Kerschaver Abstract Ever since the first publications by R.J. Schwartz in 1975, research into back-contact cells as an alternative to cells with a front and rear contact has remained a research topic. In the last decade, interest in back-contact cells has been growing and a gradual introduction to industrial applications is emerging. The goal of this review is to present a comprehensive summary of results obtained throughout the years. Back-contact cells are divided into three main classes: back-junction (BJ), emitter wrap-through (EWT) and metallisation wrap-through (MWT), each introduced as logical descendents from conventional solar cells. This deviation from the chronology of the developments is maintained during the discussion of technological results. In addition to progress on manufacturing these cells, aspects of cell modelling and module manufacturing are discussed and an outlook towards industrial implementation is presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||