Photo voltaic panel effectivity and manufacturing prices have improved tremendously over the previous couple of many years, to the purpose the place photo voltaic power is now usually cheaper than fossil gas power. As such, photo voltaic panels are actually commonplace and lack the thrilling really feel of recent expertise that they as soon as had. However that’s solely as a result of we’re used to seeing the identical previous polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels — drab grids of darkish squares. Shih Wei-Chieh builds issues in a different way, setting up DIY photo voltaic panels as purposeful artwork items.
All photovoltaic photo voltaic panels work in the identical approach, by counting on the power from mild to excite electrons and create electrical potential. However the supplies and methods used to harness that photovoltaic impact fluctuate. In accordance with a 2024 report printed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Photo voltaic Power Methods, 97% of the photovoltaic cells produced in 2023 made use of Si-wafer expertise (monocrystalline and, to a a lot lesser extent, polycrystalline).
It takes loads of subtle tools and processes to fabricate photo voltaic panels that depend on Si-wafer expertise. Humble makers couldn’t hope to copy that on a DIY scale. However different photovoltaic applied sciences do exist.
Shih Wei-Chieh makes panels with DSSCs (Dye-Delicate Photo voltaic Cells). DSSC expertise is sort of inefficient and it isn’t a notable contributor to worldwide photo voltaic power manufacturing at the moment, however it’s reasonably priced. A significant purpose for the low price is the comparatively easy manufacturing course of, which can also be why Shih Wei-Chieh is ready to make his personal photo voltaic panels utilizing DSSC expertise.
A typical DSSC photo voltaic cell has a layered sandwich-style building. The outer layers are glass, to include the inside layers and supply safety, whereas additionally permitting mild to go by means of. Then there’s an anode layer on one facet and a cathode layer on the opposite facet. The anode is normally titanium dioxide and the cathode is a platinum catalyst. The center layer, in between the anode and cathode, is an electrolyte resolution.
To enhance the absorption of sunshine, the titanium dioxide receives a dye and that’s the place the “dye-sensitive” a part of the identify comes from. In an effort to maximise effectivity, that dye is chosen by colour and longevity. But when effectivity isn’t the only precedence, one can use different dyes and that’s key to Shih Wei-Chieh’s inventive endeavors.
Shih Wei-Chieh’s manufacturing course of is intimidating, however achievable in a well-equipped maker’s store. The 2 most essential instruments for the job are a kiln and a screen-printing machine. Utilizing these, Shih Wei-Chieh is ready to construct up the anode and cathode layers on the glass, in a strategy of a number of cycles of coating and baking.
The largest problem is placing the 2 sheets collectively, with a spot between for injecting the liquid electrolyte resolution, and sealing them. Shih Wei-Chieh says he hasn’t but perfected that course of, however he is ready to make purposeful panels.
Shih Wei-Chieh’s dyeing course of is what makes his photo voltaic panels significantly attention-grabbing.
First, there’s the dye itself. Shih Wei-Chieh makes use of plant-based dyes, will be made or sourced from sustainable producers. These dyes don’t carry out in addition to the traditional decisions, however maximizing effectivity isn’t the aim right here. Some care is important to pick out dyes that pair effectively with the titanium dioxide, however there’s room for colour variation.
Which ends up in the actually cool half: it’s potential for Shih Wei-Chieh to create designs with the dye. Bear in mind, these layers are utilized with display printing methods, which permit for patterns and even illustrations. That isn’t fairly so simple as placing a design onto a t-shirt, however the potential is there.
From a purely utilitarian perspective, this isn’t very sensible. Shih Wei-Chieh has solely been capable of obtain power manufacturing of two.051mW/cm² of panel and that was on his smallest panel — bigger panels are much less environment friendly, because of the resistance of the FTO (Fluoride-doped Tin Oxide) conductive glass. And the dye has a restricted lifespan, as solar bleaching reduces its efficacy over time.
However we aren’t utilitarian animals and we don’t reside in a world that prioritizes effectivity above all else. There’s loads of room for inventive expression inside the confines of purposeful expertise, and that’s what Shih Wei-Chieh’s work is all about.
Think about, as an example, a quaint neighborhood café located on the primary ground of a multi-story constructing. It doesn’t have a roof on which to put photo voltaic panels and the proprietor definitely doesn’t need ugly monocrystalline photo voltaic panels overlaying the entrance home windows. However semi-translucent DSSC photo voltaic panels in pleasing colours and incorporating stunning patterns? That may very well be a unique story.
Nonetheless, Shih Wei-Chieh doesn’t have any intention of manufacturing DSSC panels for such functions at the moment. His focus is on the enjoyment of constructing and on the artwork of creation. He just lately showcased his work by means of an exhibit at FabCafe Tokyo and plans to proceed bettering on the methods described right here.
Shih Wei-Chieh even envisions the info from DSSC panels (particularly the current-voltage curve) getting used to generate hash values for good contracts, as a part of a novel effort to supply safer blockchain techniques by means of using encryption derived from bodily {hardware}. That can require an I-V tester, which Shih Wei-Chieh is working to develop along with his pal, Marc Dusseiller.
Within the meantime, Shih Wei-Chieh is attending a PhD program at Taiwan’s Yang Ming Ciao Tung College. Should you’d wish to sustain along with his tasks, you may comply with him @weiweiweiwear on Instagram and YouTube. You can too go to his private web site at shihweichieh.com.
