Edge photocurrent distribution in luminescent solar concentrators: analytical treatment and solar cell arrangement

Abstract

In luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), the light flux along the edges is non-uniform, which causes current mismatch between series-connected edge solar cells. Here, the optical path distribution of photons arriving at an edge point was derived analytically for a rectangular LSC and generalized to convex polygons, with reabsorption and scattering included as a geometric series. The model agrees with Monte Carlo simulations and reproduces measured edge cell currents of a $60\times60$ cm$^2$ LSC within 2-3%. In a square LSC, the series mismatch reduces the current by 8-12% for four cells per edge. Rules for edge solar cell arrangement are formulated.