Computational modeling and experimental analysis on the improvement of current mismatch in a W-type series-connected dye-sensitized solar module

A W-type series-connected dye-sensitized solar module (W-type DSC module) has a significant drawback of current mismatch attributed to its structural characteristics. This drawback is caused by low performance of the back-illuminated cell resulting from light loss. In this study, we attempted to alleviate this phenomenon by adjusting the TiO2 thickness of the back-illuminated cell in a W-type DSC module. To demonstrate this, modeling of the back-illuminated cell as a function of the TiO2 thickness and simulation analysis of the W-type DSC module were conducted. The modeling was implemented using the power electronic simulation tool on the basis of the coefficient extraction from experimental data and the simple interpolation method. As a result, it was demonstrated that the performance of the back-illuminated cell improves by adjusting the TiO2 thickness, resulting in an improvement in the current mismatch by balancing the current between neighboring cells.