Spectral response of large-area luminescent solar concentrators

Measuring the spectral response (SR) of large-area (>100cm²) luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) has proven difficult because common laboratory photovoltaic (PV) instruments that offer monochromatic incidence measure devices with limited sizes (typically <50cm²). This report addresses this issue through a method called regional measurements. In this method, large-area LSCs are configured to small surface and edge regions, which are sequentially illuminated and measured, respectively. The measured SRs of large-area LSCs are consistent with those from the conventional method and the Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation. This method is also applied to analyze scattering effects in the LSCs, showing the relationships of the scattering-induced power gain and power loss to the surface root-mean-squared roughness (R_q) of the devices. The results explain why the PV performance of the LSCs can be improved through proper surface scattering treatment.