A dye-sensitized solar cell model implementable in electrical circuit simulators

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Afonso Lopes (Author) FEUP; Armando Araújo (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP; Luísa Andrade (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Solar Energy

Vol. 122

Pages: 169-180

ISSN: 0038-092X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 8 Citations

INSPEC

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Associated Projects

WINDSC - Desenvolvimento e aumento de escala de módulos DSC baseado nas tecnologias inovadoras ETCO e selagem com vidro

SolarConcept - Novas abordagens para aumento de eficiência das DSCs e sua melhor compreensão

BI-DSC - Building Integrated Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-MBH

DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2015.08.021

Abstract (EN): The main goal of the present work is to provide a mathematical model of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) that can be implemented in electrical engineering circuit simulation software, such as PSIM, for using in electronic power converter design. Consequently, a new circuit modeling approach is presented, able to solve the standard continuity and transport governing equations defined for the involved mobile species: electrons in the TiO2 conduction band and ions in the electrolyte. Starting from the partial differential continuity equations of the phenomenological DSC model, it was developed a one-dimensional spatial discretization using Finite Difference Methods (FD) followed by a solution using an electrical circuit analogy. The resulting circuits were then implemented in PSIM software and simulated. Simulation results using this new electrical analog approach showed excellent matching when compared to FORTRAN numerical solutions, as well as when compared to experimental data. Moreover, the electrical analog can be used for transient and steady state cases, giving information about the main factors and the relevant kinetic parameters that influence DSCs’ performance. Finally, it enables to relate the phenomenological behavior with other electrical approaches, such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and diode based models.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12