Glass Frit Sealed Dye Solar Modules with Adaptable Screen Printed Design

Abstract

A cost effective glass soldering technique was developed which has been successfully applied to the dye solar cell (DSC) technology. A complete manufacturing process of DSC modules -ranging from screen-printed layers to semi-automated colouring and electrolyte filling -in a laboratory-scale baseline has been accomplished. The manufacturing process of 30 x 30 cm² modules was partly transferred to large areas of 60 x 100 cm². Electrolytes based on non-volatile organic ionic liquids have been tested as good candidates for long-term stability and performance. By screen printing a light scattering ZrO2 layer over the transparent active area of the module, various different patterns -ranging from logo-type to image-type designs -were realised. Additionally, the leadfree glass frit was coloured by inorganic pigments to adjust the unique esthetical appearance of the module.

Review of materials and manufacturing options for large area flexible dye solar cells

“…s c r i p t and this reverse current might not affect cell stability197,198 however, this needs still further investigation.…”

Material development for dye solar modules: results from an integrated approach

“…Semi-transparent glass frit sealed dye solar cell modules (30 Â 30 cm 2 each) developed at Fraunhofer ISE. 3 The decorative design has been achieved by screen printing a structured light scattering layer (sun pattern) internally onto the photoelectrode layer. The optical appearance results from back-scattered light (brown red colour) and from transparent (direct) view through the modules.…”