Modelling and simulation of eco-friendly solar cells sensitized by natural dyes

Abstract

One of the biggest environmental challenges for scientists and researchers is to minimize energy crisis by utilizing renewable energy without impacting the climate. Natural dyes based organic solar cells are third generation dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) which are bio safe, low cost, and relatively easy to fabricate with flexibility than Silicon based solar cells. In this study dye sensitized solar cells are modelled and simulated using diffusion model. The simulations are carried out in MATLAB software to investigate the electrical characteristics. The simulations are performed for three different DSSCs made of pomegranate, beetroot and N-719 dyes. Physical parameters are extracted and their impact on the performance of solar cells is studied. Additionally, the effects of variations in electrode thickness and irradiance are also investigated. The results indicated that short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage and output power increased by decreasing the electrode thickness. Simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental results of preassembled DSSCs. A set of parameters based on electrical considerations is delivered which will not only help to study the impact of physical parameter of DSSC but will also help to control and improve the performance and efficiency of Dye sensitized solar cells.