Large area optimized thin film nano solar cells on metal sheets

	Clean Technology 2009 Chapter 2: Solar and PV Technologies
	Large area optimized thin film nano solar cells on metal sheets
Authors:	M. Toivola, T. Peltola, K. Miettunen, J. Halme, K. Aitola, P.D. Lund
Affilation:	Helsinki University of Technology, FI
Pages:	25 - 28
Keywords:	dye-sensitized solar cell, metal substrate, upscaling
Abstract:	We have upscaled stainless steel based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) from small, 0.32 cm2 active area laboratory sized test cells to 6 cm x 6 cm large area ”minimodule”. This is a continuation to our previous research, in which stainless steel (StS) was identified as a suitable substrate for the DSC photoelectrode (PE). Steel’s superior conductivity enables drastic enlargening of the cell size and steel PEs can be sintered at high temperatures which yields stable and high quality TiO2 films. Steel is also flexible, mechanically robust and cost-efficient substrate. To keep the cell structure completely flexible and suitable for industrial-type roll-to-roll manufacturing, sputter-platinized ITO-PET or ITO-PEN plastic foils (thermally platinized glass as a reference) were employed as the counter electrodes (CE). The best large cell efficiencies obtained this far are 3.4 % with a StS PE and glass CE and 2.5 % with a StS PE and ITO-PET CE. These are very promising considering the best reported small cell efficiencies with the same substrate materials are around 4 % at the moment. Also, a semi-empirical mathematical model was developed, with which the large cell geometry could be optimized to minimize the resistive losses in the cell.
ISBN:	978-1-4398-1787-2
Pages:	412
Order:	Online/Mail/Fax Ordering Options
Indexes:	Keywords, Authors, Affiliations
Up

Join Us

Featured Events

ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
Washington DC, Feb. 27-29, 2012

Cleantech 2012
(joint with TechConnect World)
Santa Clara CA, June 19-21, 2012

"We've very much enjoyed being a member of CTSI. In addition to the many networking and conference opportunities, we've found the monthly newsletters to be the best consolidated source of clean technology industry information and updates on policy, grants and market intelligence."

- Patrick J. Piper, QM Power, Inc.

"Ener-G-Rotors is pleased to be a member of CTSI. CTSI has been very supportive of our efforts in clean technology, helping to connect us with key legislators, introducing us to contacts at the DOE, and providing opportunities to network with other clean technology companies."

- Michael Newell, Ener-G-Rotors, Inc.

"The Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization brings together the world's most innovative companies to provide critical thinking and technology solutions to real-world challenges."

- Dr. Ray O Johnson, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Lockheed Martin

Clean Technology 2009

Chapter 2: Solar and PV Technologies

Large area optimized thin film nano solar cells on metal sheets