Dye-sensitized cells, part of the newest generation of solar cells, got a big boost this week when Chinese and Swiss researchers published some record-breaking numbers. This new research, the scientists claim, has yielded the highest efficiency levels ever for dye-sensitized solar cells. In on the research was Michael Grätzel, inventor of the dye-sensitized, or Grätzel, solar cell.

In the short but rather exciting history of Grätzel cells there have been two major obstacles to any sort of move toward mass production: low efficiency and rapid degradation under direct sunlight. This new breakthrough makes significant strides against both those issues. Using a new ruthenium-based dye, researchers developed new solar cells with efficiencies as high as 10 percent. Sustained efficiencies such as this would thrust them into competition with other solar technologies. Furthermore, these new cells retained over 90 percent of their output after 1,000 hours of direct sunlight.

These numbers are certainly significant improvements, especially considering how young this technology is. Remember that this is the stuff solar paint is made out of. Dye-sensitized solar cells promise an amazing array of applications upon full development and production. Yet, while I find the 10 percent efficiency to be very promising, there is still a long way to go.

Take the improvements in cell longevity, which are also valuable but not as significant. Consider this: Conservatively, let’s say you get 5 hours of full sunlight per day. Current dye-sensitized solar cells would significantly degrade after just 200 days of operation. That is rather paltry when stacked against PV cells that will maintain output for 20 to 30 years and longer. But hey, you make it affordable and put it in a paint can (or even let me make it myself!) and I’ll gladly repaint my house or roof once every year.

And you can bet I’m going to keep a close eye on this research, especially since the American Chemical Society (partially supported by big oil companies) controls the funding.

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Posted on November 20th in Solar News by Dan.