E! 5220 10% Efficiencient Dye Solar Cells

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The purpose of Eurostars Project "10DSC" is to increase photoconversion efficiency of Dye-Based Solar Cells (DSC) from around 7% to 10%, making them commercially competitive. DSC are the solar cell technology with the lowest cost both for consumers and p roducers. Simple production, readily available raw materials and cost-effectiveness at relatively small production scales make DSC an particularly attractive option for developing countries and their large rural electrification programs. Low sensitivity t o angle, shading and temperatures make DSC attractive for a range of climates and applications, and at 10% efficiency also competitive for on-grid production in many areas of the world. The jump from 7% to 10% will be primarily based on improving the nan ostructure of the dyed substrate. The core of the DSC concept is a photosensitive dye that traps light and knocks electrons into the adjacent titania surface, producing electrical current. The extremely large surface present in a 3D matrix of nanoparticle s leads to high currents. However, small particles with little or no contact area give rise to electrical losses in the cell. Careful engineering of nanoparticle sizes and shapes, together with specialised substrate manufacturing methods, gives a much hi gher conversion efficiency than what is possible using standard commercial nanoparticles.