A small-sized DSSC panel based on the Uruguayan national flower dye tested at the Antarctic Artigas Base

Abstract

The construction of a small-sized panel based on anthocyanins from Erythrina crista-galli as sensitizers is reported in this work. The device, named KD12, was placed indoors at the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base from March 2019 to December 2020. Here is released for the first time, the indoor installation of dye-sensitized solar cells based on pigments from the Uruguayan national flower at an Antarctic Base and the evaluation of their performance during nineteen months. The panel showed good stability and maintained its efficiency conversion performance over the period. The output power, voltage and conversion efficiency generated for this device mainly depended on irradiance and external factors as light reflection due to snow or artificial bulbs near the area. Additional protection was provided by the double-glass window in front of the panel, lowering lighting irradiance and changing spectral characteristics of the light incident the device. A new prospect raised here: the potential application of anthocyanins as sensitizers for indoor electricity generation in the Antarctic area with long term operability, where low temperatures are helpful considering the thermal stability of the dyes. These constitute an interesting first step of a low-cost alternative searching for clean energy generation sources, focusing on a cold region like Antarctica.