Sequential up-conversion and down-shifting luminescence with a tandem luminescent solar concentrator based on rare-earth and organic materials

Abstract

Conventional photovoltaic systems frequently struggle to fully exploit the vast solar spectrum, falling short in efficiently converting the entire potential of each photon into electricity. This quest for maximizing solar spectrum utilization emerges as a cutting-edge research frontier within the realm of photovoltaics. In this context, we introduce a tandem luminescent solar concentrator featuring rare-earth materials (Yb3+-Er3+ doped ZBLAN) and organic dyes (Lumogen yellow and Lumogen pink) embedded within EVA polymer matrices. The incorporation of various luminescent entities plays a pivotal role in augmenting energy capture across different parts of the solar spectrum (UV, visible, and NIR). At the same time, our approach targets the synergistic integration of up-conversion and down-shifting mechanisms to achieve an optimal spectral alignment with the response profile of amorphous silicon solar cells. This involves converting UV–visible photons from incoming sunlight and visible up-converted photons from near-infrared radiation into the orange-red segment of the spectrum. Notably, this marks the initial demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, of a proof-of-concept employing a tandem luminescent solar concentrator wherein up-conversion and down-shifting photonic processes collaboratively operate in a sequential manner.