A novel class of dye-sensitized solar modules. Glass-plastic structure for mechanically stable devices

Owing to its peculiar properties such as transparency, weak angle dependence and improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) at diffused light, DSSCs (Dye Sensitized Solar Cells) are well suited for Building Integrated PhotoVoltaic (BIPV). For large area DSSC devices and modules, one of the main causes of sealing failure is the deformation of the glass substrates due to the sintering process of TiO₂which occurs significantly at temperatures around 500 °C. The novel class of realized DSSMs (Dye Sensitized Solar Modules) consists in a “Glass/Plastic hybrid” structure with a photo-electrode developed on glass-FTO and a counter-electrode developed on PET-ITO. By adopting this unique solution, it is possible to anneal the photo-electrode at temperatures above 500°C for an optimal TiO₂sintering and to improve the sturdiness of the devices adapting the flexible counter-electrode on the rigid photo-electrode. Developing the counter-electrode on PET-ITO we halved the thickness and weight of the devices, strengthens the commitment of DSSC technology in BIPV sector where the weights and the volumes occupied by components play a fundamental role in design, fabrication and costs.