Design and Optimization of CdTe QDs Luminescent Solar Concentrators Based on Analytic and Simulation Models

Given their attractive optical features, nanostructured direct bandgap semiconductors such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) have become great candidates to be employed as luminophores for luminescent solar light concentrators (LSCs) applications. This chapter details a methodology based on an analytical model for the optimization of the optical features of CdTe QDs based LSCs and a semiconductor simulation model for the prediction of the power generation and power conversion efficiency of the complete LSC-photovoltaic device. Employing the proposed methodology, it is possible to optimize the concentration factor of LSCs based on CdTe quantum dots employing their “spectrally corrected” absorption coefficients and the geometric factor (which depends on the LSC’s dimensions). The methodology considers three different QDs sizes as luminophores, which presents green, yellow, and red photoluminescent emissions. Once the optimal concentration factor for each luminophore was obtained, a COMSOL photogeneration simulation model using the optimized green, yellow and red CdTe QDs LSCs as illumination source was implemented to predict the total power generation and total power conversion efficiency (PCEtot) of each prospective LSC.