Evaluation of the aging process of dye-sensitized solar cells under different stress conditions

The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry has seen rapid expansion in the past decade with an ever-increasing share of the electricity-generating capacity for the world. Continuous efforts have been made by the involved industry in order to increase the efficiency of the PV devices and, at the same time, to reduce costs. Third-generation solutions such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) represent a very promising technology for PV energy production. Such cells offer a new and less-expensive technology compared with the silicon-based solar cells, the latter still with relatively high production costs. To expand their use in energy generation, an assessment of DSSC long-term stability is necessary. In particular, this paper aims to analyze Aging effects on DSSCs under different operating conditions. The proposed test activity is divided into three phases. In the first phase, we use accelerated optical stress to understand the mechanisms' degradation of DSSC parameters such as efficiency, open circuit voltage, and short circuit current. Then the DSSCs are studied in natural sunlight conditions. Finally, a combined optical and thermal stress is analyzed. The experimental data are intended to better determine the strengths and weaknesses of DSSCs in order to optimize their functional configuration. © 2015 IEEE.