Triggering a large scale luminescent solar concentrators market: The smart window project

Abstract

The photovoltaic market, especially with regard to building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), is becoming increasingly more demanding and nowadays the time is ripe for flanking with new building integrated photovoltaic technologies the traditional silicon-based ones. Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSC) can meet these goals and can be installed on large transparent or semitransparent building surfaces, like windows, where traditional photovoltaic modules cannot be used. With the aim of creating a bracing niche in such sector, the objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of the integration of Luminescent Solar Concentrators in building façade components, by introducing a multifunctional LSC-Smart Window which has been developed and preliminary field-tested. In detail, a concept of such an innovative component is presented and the prototyping activity of a pilot installation of the component is described. According to the experimental results, the LSC Smart Window could represent a promising option for the future efficiency of the built environment. In fact, it is conceived as a stand-alone independent component, which can ensure the uninterrupted autonomous operation of a motorized shading system, even during cloudy days. In this respect, although the available power is limited, it was demonstrated that it is more than enough to cover the energy demand of high efficiency moveable venetian blinds, allowing a substantial energy saving on building's energy demand. The acquired know-how on the device is fundamental to improve the technical-economical assessment of the technology and to schedule the future scale-up.