Extending battery life time in the wireless sensor applications with fluorescent optical fiber concentrator

Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSC's) are cost-efficient key driver solutions in photovoltaics, attaining higher conversion efficiencies at lower costs. Conversion of the incident solar spectrum using dye doped optical fibers greatly increases the efficiency and life time of solar cells. Fluorescent fiber-optic bundles with laterally-coupled light can be considered as a very promising option from the viewpoint of energy conversion efficiency. A new device was designed and fabricated accordingly by using a LSC based on flexible polystyrene based amber dye doped optical fibers organized in bundles. The solution offers design flexibility and the opportunity to concentrate both diffuse and direct sunlight on the solar cells.