biostudies-literatureHuaulme QEuropean Research Council468-477https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7612663biostudies-literatureUnknown5(6)Semi-transparent photovoltaics only allows for the fabrication of solar cells with an optical transmission that is fixed during their manufacturing resulting in a trade-off between transparency and efficiency. For the integration of semi-transparent devices in building, ideally solar cells should generate electricity while offering the comfort for users to self-adjust their light transmission with the intensity of the daylight. Here we report a photochromic dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on donor-π-conjugated bridge-acceptor structures where the π-conjugated bridge is substituted for a diphenyl-naphthopyran photochromic unit. DSSCs show change in colour and self-adjustable light transmittance when irradiated with visible light and a power conversion efficiency up to 4.17%. The colouration-decolouration process is reversible and these DSSCs are stable over 50 days. We also report semi-transparent photo-chromo-voltaic mini-modules (23 cm²) exhibiting a maximum power output of 32.5 mW after colouration.Nature energyPhotochromic dye-sensitized solar cells with light-driven adjustable optical transmission and power conversion efficiency.PMC7612663832606Riquelme AJJoly DKervella YAnta JAHuaulme QMwalukuku VMLiotier JMaldivi PDemadrille RNarbey SOswald FfalsePhotochromic dye-sensitized solar cells with light-driven adjustable optical transmission and power conversion efficiency.Semi-transparent photovoltaics only allows for the fabrication of solar cells with an optical transmission that is fixed during their manufacturing resulting in a trade-off between transparency and efficiency. For the integration of semi-transparent devices in building, ideally solar cells should generate electricity while offering the comfort for users to self-adjust their light transmission with the intensity of the daylight. Here we report a photochromic dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on donor-π-conjugated bridge-acceptor structures where the π-conjugated bridge is substituted for a diphenyl-naphthopyran photochromic unit. DSSCs show change in colour and self-adjustable light transmittance when irradiated with visible light and a power conversion efficiency up to 4.17%. The colouration-decolouration process is reversible and these DSSCs are stable over 50 days. We also report semi-transparent photo-chromo-voltaic mini-modules (23 cm²) exhibiting a maximum power output of 32.5 mW after colouration.2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jun2025-04-04T02:25:08.95Z2025-04-04T02:25:08.95ZS-EPMC76126633547511610.1038/s41560-020-0624-7