Visual Observation and Practical Application of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells in High School Energy Education

The present study describes the design of a simple teaching module for each student to fabricate a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) that could power a small fan motor. The significance of this laboratory exercise is to stimulate students' motivation by visualizing the light being converted into electricity, which is then switched over to kinetic energy, and to inspire them to understand the mechanistic working principles of solar cells and gain the concepts of sustainable green energy. The developed DSSC teaching module could easily power a small fan motor under the light of a halogen lamp, a conventional light bulb, or a compact fluorescent lamp. In addition, the fabrication process allowed replacing the expensive massive pressing machine by using electric irons that are readily available in daily life and made this module cost-effective and easy to assemble by school students. The field studies reveal that both junior and senior high school students were able to complete the module in 2.5 h class session and more than 80% of students successfully constructed the DSSCs to harvest the light to propel their fan motors.