Vivian Ferry1
University of Minnesota1
Luminescent solar concentrators, semi-transparent panels that harvest diffuse, high-energy sunlight, shift the spectrum to more optimal wavelengths, and focus that emitted light onto small-area solar cells. I will discuss the design of luminescent solar concentrators for both architectural and agrivoltaic applications, the fabrication of nanocrystal composites with excellent optical properties, and the use of photonic strategies to direct light within the concentrator to overcome losses.<br/>One recent design I will discuss is the bilayer luminescent solar concentrator, which combines CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystals in one layer with Si nanocrystals in a bottom layer. While either layer can act directly as an LSC, combining them both broadens spectral coverage and allows the CdSe/CdS layer to sensitize the Si nanocrystal absorption: light emitted by the CdSe/CdS layer is reabsorbed and emitted by the Si nanocrystals, where it propagates to the edge of the concentrator with minimal parasitic losses. Variation of the relative concentrations of these nanocrystals in the concentrator tunes the transmission spectrum. Integration of various photonic structures into the LSC design is also beneficial for reducing escape cone losses and ensuring that the luminescent light reaches the edge, or that the transmitted light is appropriately outcoupled from the concentrator.