Self absorption treatment for the luminescent solar concentrators

The effect of self absorption accompanying most dyes used as a luminescent solar concentrator in the form of rigid sheets was reduced, allowing for more efficient solar concentrators and hence high photovoltaic solar conversion. The treatment involved mixing dopant molecules of specific properties with the dyes before forming the rigid final shape. Dyes including Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine B, Ruthenium bi byridyl and crystal violet were used while thionin molecules were utilized as the dopant. The study shows that the efficiency enhancement is a function of dopant concentration and sample thickness.