Dye-sensitized solar cell module realized photovoltaic and photothermal highly efficient conversion via three-dimensional printing technology**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21103194, 51506205, and 21673243), the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China (Grant Nos. 2014A010106018 and 2013A011401011), the Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Innovation Project of Guangdong Province, China (Grant No. 2014B050505015), the Special

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is employed to improve the photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) module. The 3D-printed concentrator is optically designed and improves the photovoltaic efficiency of the DSC module from 5.48% to 7.03%. Additionally, with the 3D-printed microfluidic device serving as water cooling, the temperature of the DSC can be effectively controlled, which is beneficial for keeping a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency for DSC module. Moreover, the 3D-printed microfluidic device can realize photothermal conversion with an instantaneous photothermal efficiency of 42.1%. The integrated device realizes a total photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of 49% at the optimal working condition.