Issue 25, 2023

Visually attractive and efficient photovoltaics through luminescent downshifting

Abstract

Aesthetics of solar cells have become more important in recent years and the academic, industry and PV market trends include the implementation of PV modules free of aesthetic constraints. To date, this has been accompanied by negative consequences on cost and performance. We highlight, and further develop, a technical approach toward fabricating brightly coloured, patterned, visually appealing solar cells and panels while not compromising the efficiency, by exploiting the neglected potential of luminescence down shifting (LDS) materials. Only a few literature reports have previously demonstrated LDS in providing aesthetic appeal to different PV technology. We have built upon this to demonstrate a cost-effective, stand-alone film that can be used to develop customizable coloured/printed/graphically designed solar cells while maintaining their efficiency. A key advantage of the current method is that the film can be easily removable or replaceable, when the coloured structures have aged or a different appearance is desired, thus holding great potential for future product-integrated photovoltaics, solar cells with artistic designs, communication, company logos, advertisements and automotive applications.

Graphical abstract: Visually attractive and efficient photovoltaics through luminescent downshifting

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
08 Feb 2023
Accepted
25 May 2023
First published
26 May 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 13195-13200

Visually attractive and efficient photovoltaics through luminescent downshifting

N. K. Kalluvettukuzhy, M. R. Maciejczyk, I. Underwood and N. Robertson, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 13195 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA00734K

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