A Statistical Study of Assembly Parameter Modifications Effects on the Photovoltaic Response of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Strategies for improving the performance of solar cells have been the focus of several researchers. The evaluation of the effects resulting from the variation in assembly parameters was the approach adopted in this study. Three construction parameters of a dye-sensitized solar cell were varied, and an experimental factorial design method was used to analyze these modifications simultaneously, verifying the photovoltaic results. The modifications were conducted for the semiconductor area (Factor A), substrate area (Factor B), and semiconductor composition (Nb 2 O 5 with/without TiO 2 ) (Factor C). The curves of the current density versus voltage ( J–V ) were analyzed to evaluate the effects of the variations of each parameter and their combined interactions. The change related to the semiconductor composition (Factor C) was statistically significant, being relevant to improve the photovoltaic parameters evaluated. The current density, on average, increased 93.12% in the cells with the change in the semiconductor composition. Similarly, the average increase in open-circuit voltage in the respective cells was 28.71%. The reason that Factor C was predominant was attributed to the uniformity of the semiconductor layer observed by results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM).