Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) are composed of coloured panels of plastic material that have a special characteristic: they can capture sunlight and concentrate it along their edges, where it is intercepted by small photovoltaic cells and converted into electricity. Developed in collaboration with MIT in Boston, the key advantage of these LSCs is that they can produce electricity even in low light conditions, and can be incorporated into architectural structures as transparent elements.
Current photovoltaic technologies rely on panels that are more or less opaque, and perform best in direct light conditions; as such, the only way to integrate these into buildings and architectural structures is to fix them at a certain angle on walls and roofs, avoiding windows and any other element that must remain transparent. The characteristics of our Luminescent Solar Concentrators mean that they can produce electricity even in low light conditions , and can also be used where transparent surfaces are required.
The goal we set ourselves when we started developing LSCs was to create a system that could produce electricity in an efficient manner, even in conditions characterised by diffuse and low light. We were also looking for a material that was light and photostable, and perhaps also easy to produce in various forms, so that we could integrate the technology directly into architectural elements. We obtained these characteristics by adding special luminescent pigments developed in our laboratories to sheets of transparent plastic. When added to the material during the production phase, these photoactive substances can absorb part of the solar radiation and convert it to higher wavelengths: from the band between ultraviolet and visible light to the band between visible and infra-red light. At the same time, the light is transported inside the plastic sheet and concentrated in the edges, via an internal reflection mechanism. Here, we have added rows of small photovoltaic cells that intercept the solar radiation which in turn have been intercepted by the pigments and concentrated inside the plastic plates, transforming this into electricity. We have developed Luminescent Solar Concentrators in a range of colours, but the most efficient of these - now ready for industrial development - have proved to be yellow and red. Meanwhile, we are also working on a range of neutral colour versions.
Luminescent Solar Concentrators - Eni's research | Eni Video Channel
As a technology, Luminescent Solar Concentrators have been conceived, designed and developed to be installed with ease within other structures, particularly in the construction sector. The sector of reference is BIPV (Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics), which includes all the photovoltaic systems that can be considered an integral part of the building envelope. Specifically, LSCs can be used to create transparent surfaces with photovoltaic properties. This principle has been applied in the Eni Ray Plus® technology that is at the heart of Domal smart windows - presented at Milan Design Week 2018 - which use the sun's rays to power an automatic temperature control system. Consisting of a sheet of "double glazing" composed of two LSCs, these windows feature a Venetian blind inside them, which automatically adjusts according to the response provided by the internal and external light and heat sensors, reducing or increasing sun exposure in response to variations in temperature. The entire system is connected to a battery which is powered by the electricity generated by the LSCs, with no need to be connected to the mains power. Other interesting areas of application within the construction sector include motorway and railway anti-noise barriers and public transport shelters. Elsewhere, greenhouses for flower growing, nurseries and agriculture represent another promising sector - in this instance, panels with pigments that absorb only the solar radiation not used by plants for photosynthesis (for example, green) can be used.
The different uses of LSCs - Eni's research | Eni Video Channel
Luminescent Solar Concentrators belong to the category of technologies that boast more than one advantage at the same time. Due to their characteristics and their versatility, LSCs can be used to increase the energy savings of buildings, whilst simultaneously improving their habitability. The use of this solution in intelligent windows through Eni's Ray Plus® technology can reduce energy consumption by 50 to 75%. The yellow colour of these mean that they also improve luminous efficiency , by converting the light spectrum into wavelengths that are more agreeable to the human eye, increasing visual comfort. A key aspect to be taken into consideration is that these improvements can be achieved simply by replacing the old windows, with no need to resort to major building work, and without requiring a connection to the electrical grid.
This website uses cookies to show you adverts and offer you services customised according to the preferences you have shown while browsing online. For further information please refer to our cookie policy.
THIS WEBSITE (AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN) DOES NOT CONTAIN OR CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE SECURITIES OR IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY U.S. PERSON AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (A "U.S. PERSON"), AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR OTHERWISE BE UNLAWFUL (THE "OTHER COUNTRIES"). THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE CORRESPONDING REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR THE “OTHER COUNTRIES” AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES IS INTENDED TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR IN THE “OTHER COUNTRIES.”
In any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"), the information contained in this website is only directed at and may only be communicated to persons who are "qualified investors" ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation").
The information to which this website gives access is directed only at persons (i) who are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons, or in the EEA, with Qualified Investors. Any person who is not a relevant person, a Qualified Investor or otherwise permitted under applicable law or regulation to access the information, should not act or rely on the information contained herein.
Confirmation of Understanding and Acceptance of Disclaimer
These materials are for informational purposes only and are not directed to, nor are they intended for, access by persons located or resident in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries. I certify that:
I am not resident of, or located in, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries or I am not a U.S. Person; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the EEA, I am a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the United Kingdom, I am a Qualified Investor and a relevant person.
I have read and understood the disclaimer set out above. I understand that it may affect my rights. I agree to be bound by its terms and I am permitted under applicable law and regulations to proceed to the following parts of this website.
WARNING: the above certification constitutes a "self-certification" pursuant to Decree of the President of the Italian Republic No. 445 of 28 December 2000. False certifications are punishable by law.