High-Performance CuInS₂ Quantum Dot Laminated Glass Luminescent Solar Concentrators for Windows

Journal Article · 30 January 2018 · ACS Energy Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.7b01346 · OSTI ID:1431048

Bergren, Matthew R. ^[1]; Makarov, Nikolay S. ^[1]; Ramasamy, Karthik ^[1]; Jackson, Aaron ^[1]; Guglielmetti, Rob ^[2]; McDaniel, Hunter  ^[1]

---

1. UbiQD, Inc., Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Building-integrated sunlight harvesting utilizing laminated glass luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) is proposed. By incorporating high quantum yield (>90%), NIR-emitting CuInS₂/ZnS quantum dots into the polymer interlayer between two sheets of low-iron float glass, a record optical efficiency of 8.1% is demonstrated for a 10 cm x 10 cm device that transmits ~44% visible light. After completing prototypes by attaching silicon solar cells along the perimeter of the device, the electrical power conversion efficiency was certified at 2.2% with a black background and at 2.9% using a reflective substrate. This 'drop-in' LSC solution is particularly attractive because it fits within the existing glazing industry value chain with only modest changes to typical glazing products. Performance modeling predicts >1 GWh annual electricity production for a typical urban skyscraper in most major U.S. cities, enabling significant energy cost savings and potentially 'net-zero' buildings.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1431048
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA--5500-71228
• Journal Information: ACS Energy Letters, Journal Name: ACS Energy Letters Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 3; ISSN 2380-8195
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English