External tests show 7.48% active area efficiency of Dyesol's dye solar cell

Aug 6, 2012 - Australian photovoltaic (PV) technology company Dyesol Ltd (ASX:DYE) said Monday external testing of its biomimetic dye sensitised solar cell (DSC) technology had measured "strip cell" active area efficiency of 7.48% at low-light conditions.

The tests have been conducted by the Photovoltaic Laboratory of US Newport Corp's (NASDAQ:NEWP) Technology and Applications Centre.

Now that performance has been confirmed by a third party and the initial proof-of-concept stage is getting closer to completion, Dyesol's joint venture in Ohio -- DyeTec Solar -- is to start preparing for the testing-validation and prototype development phase. That phase is aimed at confirming product performance in building integrated applications. It represents the last stage before initiating the development of a DSC-enabled glass building facade product for commercial demonstration. DyeTec Solar is a 50/50 joint venture between Dyesol's US unit Dyesol Inc and glass and glazing products maker Pilkington North America.

Dyesol expects that the testing-validation and prototype development phase will last between 12 and 18 months.

The DSC technology is a third-generation PV technology which uses very thin layers of materials. It involves lower energy and lower cost manufacturing processes, and performs well in lower-light solar conditions. The technology also offers colour variations and transparency, which makes it suitable for power generating glass in the building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) segment.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!