Title:Technology Options for the Built Environment in Kenya: Dye-Sensitized and Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaics for Application in NZE Buildings
VOLUME: 1 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Raphael V.M. Otakwa*, Herick Othieno, Awange J. Lagat and Andrew O. Oduor
Affiliation:Department of Physics and Materials Science, School of Biological and Physical Sciences, Maseno University, PO Private Bag, 40105 Maseno, Department of Physics and Materials Science, School of Biological and Physical Sciences, Maseno University, PO Private Bag, 40105 Maseno, Department of Physics and Materials Science, School of Biological and Physical Sciences, Maseno University, PO Private Bag, 40105 Maseno, Department of Physics and Materials Science, School of Biological and Physical Sciences, Maseno University, PO Private Bag, 40105 Maseno
Keywords:Amorphous silicon, building integrated photovoltaics, complimentarily, dye-sensitized, geo-thermal, solar PV.
Abstract:Background: The performance of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Module (DSSM) has been
investigated under different outdoor air mass (AM), irradiance intensity and temperature conditions in
Wajir, Kitui, Vihiga and Kajiado Counties in Kenya.
Methods: The performance was thereafter compared with that of Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) devices
undertaken under similar weather conditions in Nigeria. The DSSM's good response to short
wavelength radiation made it perform better at increased AM values than what has been reported of a-
Si PV modules.
Results: Studies on a-Si showed that their performance favors low AM conditions. The DSSM
generally performed better than what is reported of a-Si, based on irradiance and temperature
dependence. Nonetheless, a-Si devices performed better at higher irradiance intensities. These results
show that Dye-Sensitized and a-Si technologies complement each others’ performance when subjected
to the outdoor field AM, irradiance and temperature conditions.
Conclusion: These findings can be applied in PV sizing, especially for application in Building
Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in the tropics.
