Since the 1970s, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have been designed to improve the capture of solar energy by using special materials that convert and focus sunlight onto solar cells.
Unlike traditional solar concentrators that rely on mirrors and lenses, LSCs can collect diffuse light, making them useful for solar panels that are integrated into buildings.
These panels are often semi-transparent and colorful, adding aesthetic appeal.
However, scaling up LSCs to cover larger areas has been challenging. One major issue is the self-absorption of light within the material, which reduces efficiency.
But now, researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Japan have proposed a new “leaf-like” LSC model that could solve these problems and significantly improve solar panel performance.
As reported in the Journal of Photonics for Energy, the researchers developed an innovative design inspired by the structure of a leaf. In this design, small luminescent plates are arranged around a central luminescent fiber, much like leaves on a tree branch.
These plates capture sunlight and convert it into photons, which then travel along the fiber to a solar cell at the tip. This setup reduces the loss of light and makes it easier to scale up the technology for larger solar panels.
One of the key advantages of this leaf-like design is that it improves the efficiency of light collection.
The researchers found that by making each luminescent plate smaller—from 50 millimeters to just 10 millimeters—they could significantly increase the efficiency of capturing and directing light to the solar cell.
Additionally, this modular design means that if one part of the system is damaged, it can be easily replaced. It also allows for the integration of new materials as technology advances.
The researchers further improved the system by incorporating techniques from traditional LSC designs, such as using mirrors and tandem structures to guide more light to the solar cells. Their experiments showed that the optical efficiency of these leaf-like structures can be accurately calculated based on the type and amount of light hitting the system.
According to Sean Shaheen, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Photonics for Energy, this leaf-like design represents a creative and effective way to guide sunlight toward solar cells, making it a promising approach for future solar energy systems.
This breakthrough could lead to more flexible and scalable solar panels, making solar energy more efficient and adaptable for various uses, from large-scale power plants to solar panels integrated into buildings.
As this technology develops, it could play a significant role in advancing solar energy and supporting more sustainable energy solutions.
