Jian Weng

Numerical model analysis of thermal performance for a dye-sensitized solar cell module

Temperature is one of the major factors that influence a dye-sensitized solar cell’s (DSC’s) photovoltaic efficiency. Temperature control is very important when solar cell modules are designed. In the present paper, a numerical model of a DSC module is built for the simulation of the solar cell’s temperature. In this model, energy balance and three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) are taken into account, and the simulation results are consistent with the experimental results. The influence of wind speeds and interfacial thermal resistance on the temperature inside the DSC modules is discussed in detail based on theoretical analysis. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

The effect of partial shading on dye-sensitized solar cell module characteristics

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) is a kind of novel solar cell with prospects for building integrated photovoltaic applications. In some situations, a DSC module may work under partial shading conditions, and subsequently the module temperature and I–V characteristics change. In this work, the effect of partial shading on DSC module characteristics is experimentally studied and the temperature and electric output of the partially shaded DSC module are measured. The variations of module temperature and output performance are analyzed under short circuit conditions and a normal operating mode of charging battery. Furthermore, the stability of the partially shaded DSC module is also evaluated. It is found that the temperature rise of the DSC module caused by partial shading is slower and much smaller than the silicon solar cell, and the characteristics of the single DSC that suffered from short-term shading remain stable. For a DSC module operating in charging mode, the maximum power point and working point change when a shadow appears.

The effect of long-term real-time monitoring on interface and photoelectric performance of dye-sensitized cells

In this paper, the effect on DSC photovoltaic performance and its mechanism under long-term real-time monitoring were investigated by Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The experimental results indicated that the Raman spectroscopy, interface impedance, electron transport and recombination time change with the same trend after 10000 cycles under -0.1-0.7 V bias and open circuit condition. Real-time monitoring has no effect on cells performance. However, if the bias voltage of real-time monitoring was much higher than open circuit voltage of the DSC, the DSC performance would be affected and dye desorption may occur. A dramatic reduction in the cells performance was observed. The results of real-time monitoring be distorted.

The optimum design for upscaling parallel dye-sensitized solar cell module

A numerical model of upscaling dye-sensitized solar cell(DSC) module was present by using the equivalent circuit and analyzing the current distribution on the surface of the module.The reliability of the model was confirmed by experiment.In view of upscaling parallel DSC module,the performance of the module under different geometry parameters had been calculated,and the optimum design is given.The results showed that for a module with certain material and fabrication,a set of optimum geometry parameters which make the module obtain maximum total area efficiency is existed.