Multilayer Haze-Assisted Luminescent Solar Concentrators for Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) require efficient light capture using both transparent and opaque modules.
• Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) offer a pathway to enhance solar energy harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel haze-assisted luminescent solar concentrators (HALSCs) integrating scattering and luminescence for improved BIPV performance.
• To investigate the impact of multilayer haze engineering on light emission and energy conversion.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of multilayer HALSCs using polymer-liquid crystal composites with embedded dyes and Mie scattering centers.
• Utilizing Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulations and experimental validation.
• Coupling HALSCs with crystalline silicon solar cells to measure photocurrent enhancement.

Main Results:

• Multilayer HALSCs demonstrate enhanced side-guided emission through repeated scattering.
• Edge-emitted intensity shows a thickness-dependent saturation, optimized by segmentation into thinner layers.
• Triple-layer HALSCs nearly doubled photocurrent output compared to transparent devices.

Conclusions:

• Opacity-luminescence coupling and multilayer haze engineering are effective design principles for advanced BIPVs.
• HALSCs present a practical platform for next-generation optical energy management systems.