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Efficient bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells through disorder by design
José M Miranda-Muñoz1, Sol Carretero-Palacios1, Alberto Jiménez-Solano1
1Multifunctional Optical Materials Group , Institute of Materials Science of Sevilla , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universidad de Sevilla (CSIC-US) , Américo Vespucio 49 , 41092 , Sevilla , Spain .
Journal of Materials Chemistry. A
|March 29, 2016
Summary
Researchers optimized bifacial solar cells by adding dielectric scatterers to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This design enhances power conversion efficiency (PCE) from both front and rear illumination without altering standard components.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Bifacial solar cells offer enhanced energy generation by capturing light from both sides.
- Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a type of photovoltaic device with potential for low-cost manufacturing.
- Optimizing light management within solar cells is crucial for improving overall efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an optical design for bifacial solar cells that enhances performance without component modification.
- To investigate the impact of dielectric scatterers on the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
- To achieve high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) under both front and rear illumination.
Main Methods:
- Integration of dielectric scatterers with controlled size and shape into the working electrodes of DSSCs.
- Utilizing a Monte Carlo approach to model and account for light multiple scattering within the solar cell.
- Characterization of device performance under front and rear illumination conditions.
Main Results:
- Achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 6.7% (front) and 5.4% (rear) in bifacial DSSCs.
- Demonstrated a significant PCE enhancement of 25% (front) and 33% (rear) compared to standard electrodes.
- Attained a high rear/front efficiency ratio of approximately 80%, indicating excellent bifacial performance.
- Identified spherical scatterers with a narrow forward-oriented angular distribution as key for optimal light scattering.
Conclusions:
- The proposed optical design using dielectric scatterers effectively optimizes bifacial solar cell performance.
- The integration of scatterers enhances both front and rear light harvesting in DSSCs.
- The study highlights the importance of scatterer shape in controlling light distribution for improved PCEs.
