We were probably lucky, but our most recent visit to the chem lab produced a very good first dye sensitized solar cell, based on Michael Grätzel's cell layout.
This is the beauty in full pseudo equatorial sunlight (6° 46′ 0″ N, 58° 10′ 0″ W):
As you can see, on this photo it made a peak 542mV, but we found it performing up to 570mV in direct sun at times.
Some more technical information about the cell:
1. Dye size:
approximatly 20 square cm (4.8cm x 4.0cm)
2. Transparent Conducting Glass Layer:
Antimony doped Tinoxide with 4-5 Ohm square resistance
3. Dye used:
Eosin Yellowish
4. Electrolyte used:
Lugol Solution, volatile
5. Efficiency:
Approximatly 1.2 % in direct sunlight
6. Durability:
30 hours at 90 to 100%, then rapidly degrading
We have not checked the reasons for the rapid degradation of the cell. It is likely to have been the electrolyte, because the cell was not sealed, but it can also be the Eosin (or both).
We hope to be able to conduct more research in this cell since there is potential for better and more durable dyes and the use of non volatile electrolytes.
Our primary goal is to make it available to hinterland communities that have no electricity and to make life more secure (e.g. via street or pathway lights) and residential supplies.
We want to setup a functional street light with a Grätzel DSSC Cell in the Amerindian Hinterland of Guyana within the next months to come.
For all our friends and supporters, we ask you to donate to this project and thanks to those who already did.
