Abstract

This paper reports on the effect of reverse bias (RB) on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) that were investigated outdoor in Wajir (1o44’50’’ North, 40o 4’ 8’’ East), Vihiga (35o0’ East, 0o15’ North), Kitui (3o 0’ South, 37o 50’ East) and Kajiado (360o 5’ East, 30o 0’ South) in Kenya. The DSSCs’ J-V characteristics, namely, Voc, Jsc, FF and ?, were studied under varied RB potentials. This was achieved through partial, as well as complete shading of the DSSCs during their operation in the study sites, using a thick piece of black cloth, and measuring the obtaining J-V characteristics. Findings of the study reveal that subjecting the DSSC module that was investigated in Wajir to RB of between 1V and 4V triggered between 25.53% and 23.53% drop in the module’s efficiency (?), followed by its total breakdown thereafter. The modules studied in Vihiga, Kitui and Kajiado exhibited a similar trend, but with variations in ? under the different RB regimes. The DSSCs’ breakdown under RB regimes of over half their voltage ratings could be attributed to the damaging of their dye constituents. These findings are important for context-informed DSSC dye choices, as well as DSSC-integrated designs that appeal to local cultural textile fabrics, like shawls, kanzu (long robes) and light coats that women and men dress in, respectively, in Wajir, and blankets that both men and women wrap around their shoulders in Kajiado, as well as in local architectures. The findings underscore the existence of vast prospects for localized industries that innovate in DSSC-integrated designs for local espousal. They could form foundations for programs that mentor people, especially children and youths at local levels to engage in climate change-mitigating enterprises.

Highlights

  • We report on the findings of the performance characterisation of dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs) under various shading regimes as the devices operated outdoor under the micro-climatic conditions of Wajir, Vihiga, Kitui and Kajiado Counties in Kenya

  • dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) present a viable prospect for increasing access to clean energy services, especially for people in areas hitherto deprived of these services in Kenya

  • These benefits enhance DSSCs’ affordability, and provide opportunity for their application in PV-integrated designs in textile fabrics and architecture for use in areas currently deprived of clean energy services

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Options to slow down the emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) through replacement of fossil fuel use with technologies that have less direct GHG emissions, such as renewable energy-based technologies, as well as through innovation of options that mitigate GHG emissions from buildings, transport, fabric, and the industrial sectors, are gaining significant traction [2,3,4,5,6,7]. These efforts are largely underpinned by the miniaturisation of electronic devices, and its expanding use in flexible gadgets.

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call