The idea is to capture light into semi or totally transparent plastic panels and funnel it to the edges by the wave guide effect. Once light is concentrated at the edges, traditional PV cells, surrounding the LSC like a window frame, transform light into electricity. In this way we can use a smart window to generate energy. Possible installations are on houses, greenhouses, noise barrier, car shelters and many others.
Sunlight is absorbed by an invisible nanomaterial embedded in the glass and concentrated at the edge of the window where PV cells transform it into electricity:
Quantum dots are made of inorganic materials that last longer under irradiation than previously proposed chromophores for LSC. QDs technology gave a new youth to LSC, especially in this era of rising environmental concerns about the way our society produces energy.
SiQDs (silicon quantum dots) offer several advantages versus the competitors which are organic molecules, rare earths complexes and traditional quantum dots. First, absorption of light is mostly in the UV region, so it is possible to build perfectly transparent windows and second, thanks to the large apparent Stoke-shift the re-absorption of emitted light is minimal.
EU/US PATENT PENDING
Device and realization method of luminescent solar concentrators based on silicon nanostructures
ITALIAN PATENT GRANTED
Metodo per la realizzazione di una lastra di supporto provvista di nanostrutture di silicio e di un concentratore solare luminescente inorganico provvisto di tale lastra di supporto