Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells : DigInfo

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The Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology has been researching and developing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) as a project to create new industry in Shimane Prefecture and has developed a 12cm by 12cm square, highly durable sub-module that has cleared the JIS standard heat-resistance test for the first time in the world. The durability of the new sub-module is comparable to that of widely used silicon based solar cells.

Silicon shortages are becoming a major issue, but unlike silicon solar cells, DSC type solar cells do not use silicon and do not require large-scale production equipment, so drastic cost reductions are expected. In order to prevent problematic electrolyte leaks within the solar cell, the Shimane Institute for Industrial Technology improved the sealant and silver wiring insulation and successfully achieved a perfect seal even at high temperatures.

When a feasibility test was conducted on the DSC solar cell, it was found to comply with the JIS standard used to confirm the durability of silicon based solar cells, and when left for 1,000 hours in a high temperature environment of 85° Celsius, the solar cell satisfactorily cleared the test with its performance degradation remaining within the 5% margin.

Dr. Shuji Noda stated, "Currently, we are still in the process of producing DSC at a laboratory level only, but we hope to find a business partner who can help us develop a low cost mass production system for DSC solar cells."