Dye-sensitised solar cell company entering commercial manufacturing

Dan Rogers - 05 Aug 2010

SolarPrint, an Irish dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) manufacturer, has announced plans to produce its devices on a commercial scale.

The company, which currently runs a pilot production line for its glass-based solar cells, will begin manufacturing millions of units per year when the new, Dublin-based production line begins operations in the second half of 2011.

The company is focusing on providing power for consumer electronics products, both as separate solar chargers and integrated power sources, says SolarPrint director Roy Horgan.

He comments: 'We are sharing data with potential collaborators. In the next few months we will choose the right partners - companies that have the same goals, the same outlook on the potential for DSSCs, and buy into the fact that they can enable future innovations too.'

Product trials

The company will use its existing pilot production line to deliver DSSCs to these partners, for trials in consumer electronics applications, in early 2011.

'We aim to have devices produced by the end of this year, and in Q1 next year they will go into products for small-scale trials with our collaborators,' explains Horgan.

SolarPrint believes that DSSCs are ready to replace more traditional solar cell technology, like amorphous silicon, as a power source for portable electronics.

'Our cells can outperform the competing technologies in low-light conditions,' says Horgan.

'At the moment on the mobile communications side, solar charging is 100% silicon-based. We see DSSCs replacing most of that silicon.'

As well as current trials for flexible, plastic versions of its devices, the company is also investigating longer-term applications for DSSCs, such as building-integrated photovoltaics and automotive applications.

Smartop

SolarPrint is a partner in the Smartop project, a €3 million initiative to produce a car roof that incorporates DSSCs and lithium batteries, to power electronic devices in the vehicle. Project partners are Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF), University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

'CRF looked at the solar space, and chose DSSCs based on their potential. There are a number of technologies available for these applications, however the benefits DSSC's holds the potential to meet CRF's needs,' Horgan states.

And while automotive applications are likely to take five years to come to fruition, according to Horgan, the Smartop project will feed into validation for near-term goals.

He adds: 'The work we put in now will benefit us on our short-term commercialisation goals.'

+Plastic Electronics Volume 3, issue 2, will include a series of special features on the commercialisation of dye-sensitised solar cells, including more from our exclusive interview with Solarprint and others in the DSSC industry. The magazine will also be appearing at the forthcoming 4th International Conference on the Industrialisation of Dye Solar Cells, 1-4 November 2010.

To subscribe in time for the next issue, visit our subscriptions page. For more information, email Editor Dan Rogers at daniel.rogers@pira-international.com.