Dye sensitised nanocrystalline solar cells

Objective

Objectives

The large-scale use of photovoltaic devices for generation of electricity was considered prohibitively expensive, with
generation from available commercial devices costing ten times more than conventional methods. Recently however, a dye
sensitised nanocrystalline solar cell utilising low to medium purity materials and simple construction processes has been
developed. The exceptional stability and low cost of the above cell, in addition to an independently verified total conversion efficiency of greater than 10.2% for a sealed device, establishes this as an important new renewable energy technology. Much of the basic and applied research necessary to achieve this level of performance has been undertaken as part of a collaborative
programme funded by the Commission under Joule II (JOU2-CT93- 0356). In the present programme an expanded consortium will work closely with a number of leading European industrial concerns to ensure the rapid commercialisation of this and related spin-off technologies.


Technical Approach

The technical approach to be adopted will involve a very wide range of state-of-the-art basic and applied research techniques in the areas of molecular synthesis, materials science,
electrochemistry and photochemistry. In addition, and in
association with leading European industrial concerns, issues related to large-scale cell production, with particular emphasis on sealant technology, will be developed.


Expected Achievements and Exploitation

The principal objectives of the present programme are:

- Improved understanding of the physics and chemistry underlying the operation of dye sensitised nanocrystalline solar cells. - Application of the above findings to achieve increased
efficiency and stability for such cells.
- Development of commercial prototypes in collaboration with industrial concerns.
- Exploitation of spin-off technologies.

The principal milestones are:

- A 12% efficient dye sensitised nanocrystalline solar cell showing a 20 year life-time under accelerated testing
conditions.
- A 4% efficient prototype solid-state analogue showing a 2 year life-time under accelerated testing conditions.

Programme(s)

• FP4-NNE-JOULE C - Specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 0302 - Solar photovoltaic

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

Address

Stillorgan Road Belfield
4 Dublin
Ireland

Participants (5)

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.

Germany

Address

Faradayweg 4-6
14195 Berlin

Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht

Netherlands

Address

5,Princetonplein
3508 CC Utrecht

SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LAUSANNE

Switzerland

Address

Ecublens
1015 Lausanne

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI FERRARA

Italy

Address

Via Luigi Borsari 46
44100 Ferrara

UPPSALA UNIVERSITY

Sweden

Address

Thunbergsvägen 5A
751 21 Uppsala