Visibly transparent, luminescent solar concentrator

US9985158B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Richard R. Lunt · Williamston, US
• Vladimir Bulovic · Lexington, US
• Miles C. Barr · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 13, 2012
• Grant date: May 29, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 16, 2035

Classification

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

Abstract

A visibly transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) is disclosed. The LSC includes a transparent substrate having at least one edge surface. A dye layer is coupled to the substrate, the dye layer having a peak absorption wavelength outside the visible band, the dye layer being configured to re-emit light at a peak emission wavelength outside the visible band, at least a portion of the re-emitted light being waveguided to the edge surface of the substrate. A photovoltaic device is coupled to the edge surface of the transparent substrate, the photovoltaic device being configured to absorb light at the peak emission wavelength and generate electrical energy.