The scientists at IIT Hyderabad have developed low-cost, environment-friendly solar cells by employing an off-the-shelf dye used to make Kumkum or vermilion in India.
The Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell (DSSC) is based on New Fuchsin (NF) dye with aqueous electrolyte and platinum-free counter electrodes.
High fabrication costs of the present silicon based solar cells is a deterrent for mass production and wide public usage.