Quantum dot solar concentrators

Abstract

The luminescent properties of core-shell quantum dots are being exploited in an unconventional solar concentrator, which promises to reduce the cost of photovoltaic electricity. Luminescent solar collectors have advantages over geometric concentrators in that tracking is unnecessary and both direct and diffuse radiation can be collected. However, development has been limited by the performance of luminescent dyes. We present experimental and theoretical results with a novel concentrator in which the dyes are replaced by quantum dots. We have developed a self-consistent thermodynamic model for planar concentrators and find that this three-dimensional flux model shows excellent agreement with experiment.