Hybrid solar concentrator with zero self-absorption loss

The use of a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) with a high geometric gain is one of the methods to achieve low cost of photovoltaic power. However, the self-absorption loss of the LSC is a restraining factor working against the gain. Differed from organic dyes, the hybrid dyes (rare earth complexes), composed of organic antenna and inorganic emitting ions, have very low self-absorption losses. A hybrid solar concentrator (HSC) has been fabricated by doping a rare earth complex, Eu(TTA)3Phen, into a polymer optical fiber (POF). Experiments on the HSC show that there is no self-absorption loss, and the emission photons increase linearly with geometric gain (increasing from around 50 to approximately 200).