Technology
Technology
Dyesol's technology is based on the dye solar cell (DSC), a 3rd generation photovoltaic technology.
DSC technology can best be described as ‘artificial photosynthesis’, using an electrolyte, a layer of titania (a pigment used in white paints and tooth paste) and ruthenium dye sandwiched between glass. Light striking the dye excites electrons which are absorbed by the titania to become an electric current many times stronger than that found in natural photosynthesis in plants.
Compared to conventional silicon based photovoltaic technology, Dyesol’s technology has lower cost and embodied energy in manufacture, it produces electricity more efficiently even in low light conditions and can be directly incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels rather than taking up roof or extra land area.
Advantages include not necessitating the use of high-priced raw materials, a manufacturing process that does not produce toxic emissions, and the potential for rapid efficiency enhancement.
Dyesol enjoys a lead position in developing and commercialising DSC technology. In 2008 alone, Dyesol’s seminal achievements have included demonstrating more than 11% peak efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity; demonstrating multi-colored, robust, flexible cells for camouflage and security applications; and demonstration of the practical application of DSC on a coiled steel coating line.
Advantages of DSC technology
DSC technology can best be described as ‘artificial photosynthesis’, using an electrolyte, a layer of titania (a pigment used in white paints and tooth paste) and ruthenium dye sandwiched between glass. Light striking the dye excites electrons which are absorbed by the titania to become an electric current many times stronger than that found in natural photosynthesis in plants.
Compared to conventional silicon based photovoltaic technology, Dyesol’s technology has lower cost and embodied energy in manufacture, it produces electricity more efficiently even in low light conditions and can be directly incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels rather than taking up roof or extra land area.
Advantages include not necessitating the use of high-priced raw materials, a manufacturing process that does not produce toxic emissions, and the potential for rapid efficiency enhancement.
Dyesol enjoys a lead position in developing and commercialising DSC technology. In 2008 alone, Dyesol’s seminal achievements have included demonstrating more than 11% peak efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity; demonstrating multi-colored, robust, flexible cells for camouflage and security applications; and demonstration of the practical application of DSC on a coiled steel coating line.
Advantages of DSC technology
- Much less sensitive to angle of incidence of radiation – it is a “light sponge” soaked with dye
- Performs over widest range of light conditions
- Low sensitivity to ambient temperature changes
- Much less sensitive to shadowing – can be diode free
- Option for transparent modules – enabling wider applications
- Truly bifacial – absorbs light from both faces – can be inverted
- Production facilities for DSC utilise commonly available low cost processing equipment, vastly cheaper than that required for silicon cells
- DSC modules have lower embodied energy than all other forms of solar cells
- DSC can be packaged in tandem designs to produce integrated power packs, sensor solutions, direct chemical manufacturing
- DSC power can be amplified by tandem and optical techniques without use of concentrators
