Huang, L.-M.L.-M.HuangHu, C.-W.C.-W.HuLiu, H.-C.H.-C.LiuHsu, C.-Y.C.-Y.HsuChen, C.-H.C.-H.ChenHo, K.-C.K.-C.HoKUO-CHUAN HO2018-09-102018-09-102012http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84863019332&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/370447An innovative concept of solution type photovoltaic electrochromic (PV-EC) device has been developed. The device includes a semi-transparent silicon thin-film solar cell (Si-TFSC) substrate, an electrochromic solution, and a transparent non-conductive substrate, wherein the electrochromic solution is located between the transparent non-conductive substrate and the Si-TFSC substrate. The solution type PV-EC device has at least the following advantages: (1) the electrodes in the PV-EC device are planarly distributed in the whole semi-transparent Si-TFSC substrate to create a uniform electric field, which makes large area PV-EC module application feasible; (2) since the PV-EC device can be driven with low voltage and low current, the demand for photopotential and photocurrent produced by the Si-TFSCs is lowered and thus the thickness of an intrinsic layer in each of the Si-TFSCs can be thinned, which increases the transmittance of the device, and (3) the electrical power generated by the PV-EC module can be controlled by an additional output switch layout coupled with the Si-TFSC. When illuminated by sunlight, a portion of electronic current produced by a Si-TFSC is converted into ionic current to cause color changing of the PV-EC device, while the monolithically integrated Si-TFSC module generates electricity to a connected load. In view of photoelectric conversion and optical modulation properties, the PV-EC device can both function as solar cell module and as self-powered smart glass, which has great advantages in green energy application. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Semi-transparent silicon thin film solar cell; Solar powered smart glass; Solution type photovoltaic electrochromic device[SDGs]SDG7Color changing; Connected loads; Electrical power; Electrochromics; Electronic current; Green energy; Intrinsic layer; Ionic current; Low currents; Low voltages; Monolithically integrated; Nonconductive substrates; Photoelectric conversion; Photopotential; Self-powered; Semi-transparent; Silicon thin film; Smart glass; Solar cell module; Solar-powered; Thin-film solar cells; Uniform electric fields; Alternative fuels; Electric fields; Electric generators; Electrochromic devices; Electrochromism; Equipment; Glass; Monolithic integrated circuits; Optical properties; Photovoltaic effects; Silicon; Solar energy; Solar power generation; Substrates; Semiconducting silicon compoundsjournal article10.1016/j.solmat.2011.03.036