The efficiency of DSSC has continued to increase in the last 20 years, with a confirmed record of 14.1% which was achieved by G24 Power advisory board member Professor Michael Graetzel and his team at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

These research-cells are produced in the laboratory with the knowledge and advances in DSSC efficiencies due to be transferred into production cells at G24 Power in the near future.

The chart on the right is adapted from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Research Cell Efficiency Records chart.

How to measure cell efficiency of DSSC

The efficiency of DSSC and other solar cells for outdoor applications, such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), is typically measured under standard test conditions (STC); Temperature 25°C, Irradiance 1000 W/m² (1sun), Air mass 1.5 (AM1.5) spectrum.

Under these test conditions a solar cell with 1m² surface area producing 100 watts of power is measured at 10% power conversion efficiency (PCE).

Cell efficiency of DSSC used indoors

However, the calculation of DSSC efficiency for indoor applications differs. The air mass (AM1.5) is not relevant for indoor PV operating conditions.

For example, if we used a realistic indoor light level and surface area for an indoor application – Irradiance 100mW/cm2, with a 1cm² surface area producing 10mW then the PCE is measured at 10%.

Measuring solar performance by power density

Using power density can be a more tangible performance measurement of GCell when used indoors. The method uses power output (e.g. microwatts) for a given area (e.g. per cm²) at a luminance level (e.g. 200lux).

Efficiency improvements of DSSC

The potential for improvement in the power conversion efficiency of DSSC is one of the reasons it is regarded as a highly promising method for efficient and economical conversion of light in to electrical energy.

DSSC improvements are buoyed by the development programs within large chemical companies that enable new combinations of materials, chemical formulation and cell structures to be considered. Areas for potential improvements include dyes, electrolytes, redox couples, photoanodes and tandem cell configurations.

A two level tandem DSSC embodiment could reach 46% efficiency
Professor Michael Graetzel, EPFL

Theoretical efficiency limit of DSSC

The theoretical photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) limit of the DSSC, using a simple junction configuration, under standard test conditions (STC) is 32% according to Professor Michael Graetzel.

A two level tandem DSSC embodiment could reach 46% efficiency under the same conditions. Higher PCE’s reaching close to 40% can be achieved indoors or in diffuse daylight that has a low infrared light content.