Optical and Electrical Modeling of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell: Influence of the Overlap Distance Between TiO 2 Particles

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are used for photovoltaic applications. The paper presents a methodology for optical and electrical modeling of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In order to take into account the influence of the overlap distance between two TiO 2 particles on the cell an optoelectronic model for DSSC is presented in this paper. From the radiative transfer equation and Mie theory, the optical generation rate of cell is deduced. Coupling the output of the optical model (the dye absorption rate) to an electrical model allows determination of short-circuit current density and maximum power output. Due to our model, the dependence effects of the overlap distance upon the porosity, the optical generation rate, the short circuit current density and the maximum power output are evidenced. Thus, we see that when the overlap distance increases the porosity decreases. In addition, when the overlap distance increases, the absorption rate decreases when the overlap distance is greater than TiO 2 radius divide by 5. Moreover, we see that when the overlap distance is lower than the TiO 2 radius divided by 5, the short circuit current density and the maximum power output increase. However, when the overlap distance is higher than TiO 2 radius divided by 5 they decrease. Thus, according to the model, we see that the optimal overlap distance is equal to TiO 2 radius divide by 5. Our results agree with those found in the literature.