Reduction of escape cone losses in luminescent solar concentrators with cholesteric mirrors

L.H. Slooff, A.R. Burgers, M.G. Debije

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademic

9 Citations (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC) consists of a transparent polymer plate containing luminescent particles. Solar cells are connected to one or more sides of the polymer plate. Part of the light emitted by the luminescent particles
is guided towards the solar cells by total internal reflection. About 25% of the dye emission is typically emitted within the optical escape cone of the matrix material and is lost due to emission from the top. We study the application of selectively-reflective cholesteric layers to reduce these losses. We have implemented these mirrors in the ray-tracing model for the LSC. The simulations show that an optimum in performance can be obtained by selecting an appropriate centre wavelength of the cholesteric mirror.
External Quantum Efficiency measurements were performed on LSC devices with a mc-Si, GaAs or InGaP cell and a dichroic mirror. This mirror shows a similar behavior as the cholesteric mirror. The results show that for a 5x5 cm2 LSC
the mirror does improve the EQE in the absorption range of the dye.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHigh and Low Concentration for Solar Electric Applications III
EditorsM. Symko-Davies
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9780819472632
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
EventSPIE Conference volume 7043, High and Low Concentration for Solar Electric Applications III, August 10, 2008, San Diego, CA, USA - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 10 Aug 200810 Aug 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume7043
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceSPIE Conference volume 7043, High and Low Concentration for Solar Electric Applications III, August 10, 2008, San Diego, CA, USA
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period10/08/0810/08/08

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