Development of High Efficiency, Low-Cost Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

This research effort focused on development of new flexible solar cells that can be integrated into deployable shelter skins for power generation purpose in remote locations. This report covers activities and results of a research program over a period of two years. The program was targeted at first realizing a molecular photovoltaic cell based on a dye sensitized nanocrystalline semi-conductor film employing a hole conductor, a conducting polymer or a polymer electrolyte reaching an AM1.5 solar-to-electric conversion efficiency of at least 10%, within the first year. This milestone was achieved within 9 months by producing solid-state solar cells containing hole conductors, with 12.56% efficiency. Further, a new type of solar cell based on polymer electrolytes was also developed in the second year. A typical cell of this type showed 12.2% solar conversion efficiency. All efficiency figures were certified by NREL, USA. In the second year, the polymer based solar cell was capable of reaching conversion efficiencies of 16.1%.