What are LSC solar panels?

The acronym LSC comes from the English Luminescent Solar Concentrator. LSC panels are cheaper than classic photovoltaic panels. In fact, they are made of plastic or glass plates on which luminescent molecules are deposited.

What are LSC luminescent solar concentrators?

The technology for this form of renewable energy has been known since the 1960s, but has been progressively abandoned due to low efficiency and difficulties in producing suitable dyes. LSC luminescent solar concentrators are transparent active photographic plates capable of absorbing light from a broad spectrum of solar radiation.

Are LSC panels cheaper than traditional photovoltaic panels?

LSC panels are cheaper than classic photovoltaic panels. In fact, they are made of plastic or glass plates on which luminescent molecules are deposited. The technology for this form of renewable energy has been known since the 1960s, but has been progressively abandoned due to low efficiency and difficulties in producing suitable dyes.

Can LSC technology be 'invisibly' integrated into buildings?

The LSC technology is now set on a clear path to become a PV technology that can be ‘invisibly’ integrated into buildings in the form of colourless and electrodeless solar windows or as other semi-transparent architectural elements.

What are LSCs & how do they work?

LSCs were first proposed in 1976 as cost-effective alternatives to silicon solar cells 8, 9. They offered the possibility of exploiting solar radiation by use of large-area devices that needed a minimal amount of PV material, which was prohibitively expensive at that time.

Can LSCs use light from cloudy skies?

In principle such LSCs can use light from cloudy skies and similar diffuse sources that are of little use for powering conventional solar cells or for concentration by conventional optical reflectors or refractive devices.