Dye-sensitised Solar Cells

The potential for really economic Solar Electricity

Dye-sensitised cells (DSC) involve novel materials and design. The diagram above shows how the dye sensitized cell works. The active absorber is a monolayer of ruthenium based dye adsorbed onto a film comprising grains of TiO_2. Electrons travel through this film to the SnO_2 coated glass collecting contact. The dye is regenerated by triiodide ions which transfer their charge to iodide ions that are reduced back to triiodide at the Pt coated glass counter electrode, completing the circuit.

This technology offers the possibility of equipment costs well below those found for Silicon PV [lowest so far seen $4.50/ watt in USA,

For predictions for DSC costs see:

www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2005/10/10/36498/STdevelopsdye-sensitisedsolarcells.htm