Luminescent Solar Concentrator

Luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is a non-imaging device that has the ability to collect both direct and diffuse sunlight without a tracking device. It is made up of transparent glass or plastic doped with a luminescent material. As sunlight hits the LSC, the luminescent material absorbs the photons with energy higher than its bandgap and consequently emits the absorb light. The glass or plastic matrix will then guide the emitted light onto the edge of the concentrator through total internal reflection (TIR). A photovoltaic cell is attached on the edge of the LSC where the emitted light is directed and converts this light into electrical energy. Our research focuses on studying new material systems and device geometries that will enhance the collection and guiding of light inside the LSC. The main objective is to increase photovoltaic cell efficiency while at the same time reduce its cost by decreasing the size of the expensive solar cell and replacing it with an inexpensive LSC collector.