Background
Luminescent solar energy concentrators can concentrate both diffuse and direct solar radiation and require no tracking system. These characteristics have advantages for providing the devices and techniques to improve the efficiency of solar power systems. However, for the technology becomes economically viable in the marketplace and cost competitive with the conventional forms of solar energy systems, the overall power generation efficiency of the system needs to be increased.
Previous works demonstrated the application of luminescence to concentration of solar radiation by applying optical waveguide technology, which guides the frequency-shifted light via total internal reflection (TIR) to an energy transducer that comprises a photovoltaic cell. The typical conversion efficiencies achieved have been 3% to 5%. The present invention discloses an improved apparatus design that significantly increases the overall conversion efficiency of the system.
Description
A luminescent solar energy concentrator comprises an apparatus, which includes an optical waveguide containing quantum dot material or other suitable luminescent materials that responds to incident light by emitting frequency-shifted light. Researchers at the University of California, Merced improved the waveguide by further employing a highly efficient diffusely-reflecting bottom layer in conjunction with a narrow-band reflecting top layer to the wave-guide. The innovation significantly raises the overall energy conversion efficiency range of the system by factors of 2 to 3.
Applications
The UC Merced invention has application in converting solar energy to electricity, and for light sensing and other sensor-related technology.
Advantages
The low conversion efficiency of previous luminescent concentrator technologies has been a barrier to practical implementation. The current improvement increases the efficiency by factors of 2 to 3, thus brings the technology into the range of economic viability.
Inventors
Roland Winston
David G. Pelka
