Luminescent solar concentrator

US9178096B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Leidos, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John Paul Ziegler · San Diego, US
• Howard W. Walker · Baton Rouge, US
• Richard H. Griffey · Vista, US
• Newell Convers Wyeth · Oakton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 15, 2014
• Grant date: Nov 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 15, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/52

Abstract

A stacked luminescent solar concentrator includes two separate absorption/emission cells, each having a layer of luminophore-type material, wherein a top layer is a high band gap layer comprised of quantum dots in polymer, wherein the quantum dots are engineered so as to absorb a significant percentage of photons above bandgap. The bottom layer is a lower band gap layer comprised of quantum dots in polymer, wherein the quantum dots in the second layer are engineered so as to absorb photons not absorbed in the top layer, thus increasing total percentage of absorbed photons. Photovoltaic cells are located below the layers at the bottom of the cells or at the edges of the cells. The sides and lower surfaces of the cells may include reflective surfaces as discussed further herein. Reflection losses from the top surface thereof may be minimized using a broadband anti-reflective coating (AR) on the surface.