Application of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Technology in the Tropics: Effects of Air Mass on Device Performance

Raphael Makokha Otakwa, J. Simiyu, S.M. Waita, J.M. Mwabora

Abstract


Abstract - The performance of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Module (DSSM) of active area 175.12 cm2 has been investigated at a tropical climate area located 1.28˚S, 35.81˚E. Outdoor current density-voltage (J-V) characterizations were carried out at different AM values. The DSSM’s performance parameters; short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF) and solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) were extracted from the J-V characteristics. The DSSM’s Voc reduced linearly by 2.05% from 8.31 V to 8.14 V as AM increased from 1 to 1.09. Jsc reduced linearly by 26.06% from 1.04 x 10-3 Acm-2 to 7.69 x 10-4 Acm-2 as AM increased from 1 to AM 1.09. FF increased linearly by 19.05% from 0.51 to 0.63 as AM increased from 1 at 1.09. η increased by 32.77% from 1.77% to 1.19% as AM increased from 1 to 1.09. The DSSM performed better during afternoon than morning hours. The results may be useful in tuning Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) meant for use in the tropics. The design of Net Zero Energy (NZE) buildings in the tropics can also benefit from these findings.


Keywords


Dye-Sensitized; Performance; Air Mass; African Tropics

Full Text:

PDF

References


B. O’Regan and M. Grätzel, ‘’A low cost, high efficiency solar cell based on dye sensitised colloidal TiO2 films’’, Nature, vol. 353, pp. 737 – 739, 1991. (Article)

J. Yum, E. Baranoff, S. Wenger,Md. Nazeeruddin and M. Grätzel, ‘’Panchromatic engineering for dye sensitized solar cells’’, Energy and Environmental Science, vol. 4 pp. 842, 2010. (Article)

L. Han, A. Islam, H. Chen, C. Malapaka, B. Chiranjeevi, S. Zhang, X. Yang and M. Yanagida, ‘’High efficiency dye sensitized solar cell with a novel co-adsorbent’’, Energy and Environmental Science, vol. 2, pp. 149, 2012. (Article)

Q. Yu, C. Yu, F. Guo, J. Wang, S. Jioa, S. Gao, H. Li and L. Zhao, ‘’A stable and efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with a low molecular weight organic gelator’’, Energy and Environmental Science, DOI: 10.1039/c2ee03128k, p. 1-5, 2012. (Article)

Y. Qingjiang, Y. Cuiling, G. Fengyun, W. Jinzhong, J. Shujie, G. Shiyong, L. Hongtao and Z. Liancheng, ‘’Astable and efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell with a low molecular weight organic gelator’’, Energy and Environmental Science, DOI: 10.1039/c2ee03128k, 2012. (Article)

H. Wafula, ‘’Effects of nitration on pressed TiO2 photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2007. (M.Sc. Thesis)

S. Waita, ‘’Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated from obliquely sputtered nanoporous TiO2 thin films: characterization, electron transport and lifetime studies’’, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2008.(Ph.D Thesis)

S. Kahuthu, ‘’Theoretical approach to the transport phenomenon of photo injected electrons in dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2008. (M.Sc. Thesis)

J. Olwendo, ‘’A theoretical approach to studies of temperature effect on mobility of photo injected electrons in dye-sensitized solar cells’’ Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2008.(M.Sc. Thesis)

P. Ajuoga, ‘’Effects of concentration on dopant states in photo activity in Niobium doped TiO2’’ Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2009. (M.Sc. Thesis)

A. Ogacho, ‘’A study of TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells with a hole transport material’’, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, 2010. (Ph.D Thesis)

J. Simiyu, ‘’Characterization of Anthocyanin Dyes and Investigation of Charge Transport in TiO2 Dye Sensitized Solar Cells’’, Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, pp. 1 – 137, 2010 (Ph.D Thesis)

J. Ozuomba, A. Ekpunobi and P. Ekwo, P., ‘’The photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell based on Chlorin local dye. Chalcogenide Letters, vol. 8 (3), pp. 155 – 161, 2012 (Article)

M. Law, L. Green, J. Johnson, R. Saykally and P. Yang, ‘’Nanowire dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Nature Materilas, vol. 4 (6), pp. 455 – 459, 2005 (Article)

R. V. M. Otakwa, J. Simiyu, S. M. Waita and J. M. Mwabora, ‘’Application of dye-sensitized solar cell technology in the tropics: Effects of radiation intensity and temperature on DSSC performance’’ International Journal of Advanced Renewable Energy Research (IJARER), vol. 1 (2) pp. 17 – 25, April, 2012. (Article)

I. Bakas, ‘’Solar energy/photovoltaics’’ In solar energy and housing – Corpus. Copenhagen Resource Institute (CRI), pp. 1 – 6, 2011. (Article)

J. Bisquert, D. Cahen, G. Hodes, S. Rühle and A. Zaban, ‘’Physical chemical principles of photovoltaic conversion with nanopartuculate, mesoporous dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Journal of Physical Chemistry, vol. 108, pp. 8106 – 8118, 2004. (Article)

A. Louche, M. Maurel, G. Simonnot, G. Peri and M. Iqbal, ‘’Determination of Ᾰngstrὄm’s turbidity coefficient from direct total solar irradiance measurements’’, Laboratoire d’Hẽlioẽnergẽtique, pp. 1622 – 1630, 2000. (Article)

M. Iqba, ‘’Determination of Ᾰngstrὄm’s turbidity coefficient from direct total solar irradiance measurements’’, Solar Energy, vol. 38, pp. 89 – 96, 1987. (Article)

A. Young, ‘’Air mass and refraction’’, Applied optics. Vol. 33, pp. 1108 – 1110, 1994. (Article)

D. Heinemann, ‘’Energy meteorology’’, Postgraduate Programme in ‘Renewable Energy, Carl Von Ossietzky Universitat, pp. 1 – 102, 2000 (Lecture Notes)

P. Chambers, ‘’Teaching Pythagoras’ theorem’’, In mathematics in school, The Mathematical Association, Leicester, vol. 28 (4), pp. 22 – 24, 1999 (Article)

S. Wenham, M. Green, M. Watt and R. Corkish, ‘’Applied photovoltaics’’ T J International Ltd., pp. 6, 2007. (Book)

F. Kasten and A. Young, ‘’Revised optical air mass tables and approximation formula’’, Applied Optics, vol. 28 (22), pp. 4735 – 4738, 1989 (Article)

G. Kalagnan and Y. Kang, ‘’A review on mass transport in dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, vol. 7, pp. 17 – 22, 2006 (Article)

V. Thavasi, V. Renugopalakrishnan, R. Jose and S. Ramakrishna, ‘’Controlled electron injection and transport in material interfaces in dye-sensitized solar cells’’, Materials Science and Engineering: Reports, vol. 63, pp. 81 – 99, 2009 (Article)

S. Hedegus and N. Shafarman, ‘’Thin film solar cells: Device Measurement and Analysis’’, Progress in Photovoltaic Research and Application, vol. 12, pp. 155-176, 2004 (Article)

A. Meinel and M. Meinel, Applied solar energy. Addison Wesley Publishing Company, pp. 10 – 78, 1976 (Book)




DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijrer.v2i3.222.g6030

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Online ISSN: 1309-0127

Publisher: Gazi University

IJRER is cited in SCOPUS, EBSCO, WEB of SCIENCE (Clarivate Analytics);

IJRER has been cited in Emerging Sources Citation Index from 2016 in web of science.

WEB of SCIENCE in 2025; 

h=35,

Average citation per item=6.59

Last three Years Impact Factor=(1947+1753+1586)/(146+201+78)=5286/425=12.43

Category Quartile:Q4