Sol-gel based TiO2 paste applied in screen-printed dye-sensitized solar cells and modules

A simple manufacturing process based on screen-printing is crucial for a successful commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We developed the sol-gel based TiO2 paste in such a way that solely a single step deposition is sufficient to realize a sponge-like structure of the layer assuring its high activity in DSSCs. For the first time the sol-gel based TiO2 paste was screen printed and tested in DSSC masterplates and PV mini-modules. Electroluminescence imaging of the mini-module proved layer homogeneity and no manufacturing defects. The conversion efficiency of the PV mini-module with the active area of 75 cm2 reaches 5.7% at STC.