Luminescent solar concentrators – Gewinnung elektrischer Energie aus Tönungen für Fensterscheiben und Fassadenelemente

• Forschungsstelle: BFE
• Projektnummer: SI/500995

Kurzbeschreibung (Deutsch)

Die Tönung von Fenster und Glas-Hausfassaden soll um die Zusatzfunktion der Elektrizitätsgewinnung erweitert werden. Flächen, die mit bestehenden Technologien nicht oder nur unbefriedigend genutzt werden können, sollen durch Verwendung von lichtstabilen Lumineszenzkonzentratoren in ökonomisch, ökologisch und ästhetisch sinnvoller Weise für die photovoltaische Energiegewinnung erschlossen werden. Das Projekt hat zum Ziel lichtstabile Farbstoff-Zeolith Komposita (ZeoFRET®) zu entwickeln, die sich für die Konstruktion von Lumineszenzkonzentratoren eignen. Nachdem ZeoFRET® Komposita für Innen-Anwendungen bereits entwickelt wurden, geht es darum, diese in Bezug auf Aussenanwendungen zu prüfen und so anzupassen, dass die dafür benötigte Stabilität erreicht wird. Mit ZeoFRET® hergestellte Lumineszenzkonzentratoren sollen nach zehn Jahren Betrieb in Aussenanwendung noch mindestens 80% ihrer Anfangseffizienz aufweisen. ZeoFRET® Komposita sind nicht-toxisch und enthalten insbesondere keine giftigen oder schwer gewinnbaren Elemente. Sie sind daher in hohem Masse biokompatibel.

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

The aim of this project is to extend the use of tinted windows or glass building fronts to the generation of electricity. Most of such surfaces cannot be exploited in a meaningful way for photovoltaic energy generation with current technology. Using light-stable luminescent solar concentrators in an economical, ecological, and aesthetically pleasing way leads to novel architectural building elements that can also generate electricity from direct and diffuse illumination. The major project goal lies in the development of light-stable dye-zeolite composites (ZeoFRET®) that can be used in the production of luminescent solar concentrators. Since ZeoFRET® composites for indoor applications do exist, they now need to be tested and adapted for large-scale outdoor use. Long-term stability is the key point here so that luminescent solar concentrators can be prepared which will keep 80% of the original efficiency after 10 years. ZeoFRET® composites are non-toxic and do not contain any rare or hazardous materials. They are therefore highly biocompatible.

Schlussbericht (Deutsch)

Zugehörige Dokumente

• GEWINNUNG ELEKTRISCHER ENERGIE AUS TÖNUNGEN FÜR FENSTERSCHEIBEN UND FASSADENELEMENTE - Final Report [PDF] 417 kB

Schlussbericht (Englisch)

The aim of this project is to extend the use of tinted windows or glass building fronts to the generation of electricity. Most of such surfaces cannot be exploited in a meaningful way for photovoltaic energy generation with current technology. Using light-stable luminescent solar concentrators in an economical, ecological, and aesthetically pleasing way leads to novel architectural building elements that can also generate electricity from direct and diffuse illumination. The major project goal lies in the development of light-stable dye-zeolite composites (ZeoFRET®) that can be used in the production of luminescent solar concentrators. Since ZeoFRET® composites for indoor applications do exist, they now need to be tested and adapted for large-scale outdoor use. Long-term light stability is a key aspect in preparing luminescent solar concentrators, which keep 80% of their initial efficiency after 25 years of operation. ZeoFRET® composites are non-toxic and do not contain any rare or hazardous materials. They are highly biocompatible. During the first year of this project a major step was to investigate and find solutions to prevent ZeoFRET® agglomeration, allowing for proper dispersion of ZeoFRET® in polymer matrices. New surface coating methods were developed. Compounding of ZeoFRET® in different polymers was investigated and first successful mold injection experiments were carried out. Additional donor dyes were added to the ZeoFRET® system in order to broaden the absorption spectrum.  Photostability tests in different set-ups have been performed and compared with industry-standard long-term stable luminescent dyes. The stability of the dyes is extended in the ZeoFRET®-system compared to pure dyes in the same polymer matrix.