Performance monitoring and building integration assessment of innovative LSC components

Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) represent a promising technology for integrating renewable energy sources in buildings. In facts, LSC components can be easily installed in place of traditional glazing, producing renewable energy while preserving the transparency of the building envelope. The present work describes the performance characterization carried out on new LSC prototypes which have been tested in outdoor conditions. In particular, a double-glazed prototype of a LSC component for building integration was compared with a standard LSC plate, both realized with the photoluminescent composition of the ENI dye used for the spectrum converter dispersed in the LSC includes an acene compound and a benzothiadiazole compound. The preliminary results show a slightly lower performance of the double-glazed component, which has, however, a higher potential to be used as a traditional building element. Moreover, it should be noted that the angle of incidence of beam solar radiation has a low influence on electric performance in comparison with standard PV modules.