Dye-sensitized solar cell module realized photovoltaic and photothermal highly efficient conversion via three-dimensional printing technology

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is employed to improve the photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) module. The 3D-printed concentrator is optically designed and improves the photovoltaic efficiency of the DSC module from 5.48% to 7.03%. Additionally, with the 3D-printed microfluidic device serving as water cooling, the temperature of the DSC can be effectively controlled, which is beneficial for keeping a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency for DSC module. Moreover, the 3D-printed microfluidic device can realize photothermal conversion with an instantaneous photothermal efficiency of 42.1%. The integrated device realizes a total photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of 49% at the optimal working condition.

2022 roadmap on 3D printing for energy

“…Three-dimensional printing technology can also be employed to improve the photovoltaic and photo-thermal conversion efficiency of modules (beyond the solar cells themselves). In this regard, 3D-printed concentrator has been optically designed and improved for dye-sensitized solar cell modules increasing the photovoltaic efficiency from 5.48% to 7.03% in the work by Huang et al [25]. In the same direction, a combination of a 3D-printed parabolic concentrator and a light cage was also used to demonstrate external light trapping for a thin-film nc-Si:H solar cell with a 15% enhancement of the energy conversion efficiency (figure 5) [26].…”