Dyes Convert Light into Electricity –– The Next Generation Solar Cell
Research and Development on the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell
Taking Full Advantage of the Characteristics of the Materials
and Aiming to Open New Markets
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Prototype dye-sensitized solar cell panel.
Screen printing is used for each of the
four dyes, and a picture of marigolds
is formed by applying colors with four
levels of density.
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Pictures painted with colors on glass plates are like stained
glass and absorb light to generate electricity.
The dye-sensitized solar cell has characteristics that simply
do not exist in current silicon solar cells; reduced costs due
to materials and manufacturing methods and increased
flexibility for application design.
Thus there are high expectations for this device as the next
generation solar cell that will create new applications.
Sony is moving forward with research and development that
takes advantage of Sony coating and printing technologies
fostered in the development of video tape and lithium-ion
batteries.
The Sony prototype dye-sensitized solar cell module has
already achieved the world's top class of energy conversion
efficiency, and at the same time as aiming for even further
performance improvements, Sony is searching for new
possibilities for solar cells that can blend seamlessly into our
daily lives. |
 The world's highest level of energy conversion efficiency
––– Sony's dye-sensitized solar cell
Energy conversion efficiency: 8.2%
*:This value was measured by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST). The module aperture area is 18.5 cm²
(June 2008)
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Vol.56
