Outdoor performance of large scale DSC modules

To elucidate possible challenges for outdoor practical use of dye-sensitized solar cells, outdoor performance of large scale DSC modules made of series-connected 64 DSC cells have been examined for a half year. This is almost the first long term outdoor test of full-fledged DSC modules. Although DSC modules still need the larger area than conventional Si solar cell modules to attain the same rated output because of lower rated energy conversion efficiency, the measured data teach that DSC modules yearly generated 10-20% more electricity than conventional crystalline-Si modules of the same rated output power. This result also teaches that the energy conversion efficiency obtained by the certified measurement under 1 Sun condition does not always coincide with the electricity generated outdoors yearly, and is not a crucial measure to evaluate the performance of solar cells. The outputs of four modules showed similar monotonous slow and steady decreases, showing potential outdoor use of DSC. Simultaneously, it indicates that there are still remaining challenges to overcome one by one in attaining higher performance keeping long term stability. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.