Thin Film DSC Technology

We’re just Dying to meet you!

Dye Solar Cell

Just when you think a new solar technology is years away, up pops a company showing a product off, which then keeps all of the engineering groups in competitive companies working 24/7!

Third generation thin-film solar technology has been on the horizon for almost two decades with a number of differing technologies including dye solar cells (DSC).   DSC applications include windows and exterior panels for flexible Building Integrated PV (BIPV), which could have some amazing architectural effects as well as providing great solutions for the varying light and temperature conditions this application poses

We’ve blogged about the use of thin film solar to charge and power mobile devices (phones, laptops, MP3 players, computers) using backpacks, handbags and even solar straps!  Roll-up solar panels are convenient and inexpensive for outdoor use, recreation, students and more.

With the potential for very low cost (1/10 to that of silicon PV), working with a wide range of light and temperature conditions, and having a large degree of substrate flexibility makes DSC technology a choice for extremely varying conditions.

What is DSC? Sunlight excites the DSC cells similar to photosynthesis in nature.  Sunlight will excite a dye to create an electronic charge similar to how a plant will use chlorophyll to turn sunlight into energy. The process to make DSC is very attractive with a roll-to-roll, low temperature conventional printing format on a range of substrates.

The lifespan of DSC is currently around 5 years with a maximum of 12% efficiency.  For this technology to take hold within the building community, the lifespan will have to increase significantly.

Watch for the technology to advance significantly with Sharp, Sony, G24i and Dyesol leading the charge.

Tags: building integrated PV, dsc technology, dye solar cells, solar technology, thin film dsc technology, thin film solar