The role of FRET in solar concentrator efficiency and color tunability

Abstract

We demonstrate concentration-dependent Förster-type energy transfer in a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) material containing two high quantum yield laser dyes in a PMMA matrix. FRET heterotransfer is shown to be approximately 50% efficient in the regime of 2×10−3molal acceptor dye by weight in the host polymer. The two dyes used have been well studied for solar concentrator applications: BASF's Lumogen Red 305, and Exciton Chemical Company's DCM both demonstrate desirable stability, quantum yield, and complementary absorption spectra. We demonstrate how multiple-dye LSC devices employing FRET increase the absorption of air mass 1.5 solar irradiance without affecting the self-absorption properties of the film. Color tunability may be achieved through the addition of additional absorbers while minimizing the impact on waveguide efficiency.