Printed luminescent solar concentrators: Artistic renewable energy

• Published in: Energy and buildings Vol. 207; p. 109625
• Main Authors: Schiphorst, Jeroen ter, Cheng, Marx L.M.K.H.Y.K., van der Heijden, Maxime, Hageman, Renee L., Bugg, Emily L., Wagenaar, Teun J.L., Debije, Michael G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15-01-2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aesthetics; Alternative energy sources; Concentrators; Energy; Energy harvesting; Imagery; Ink jet printers; Inkjet printing; Renewable energy; Solar energy; Sustainability; Sustainable harvest; Urban areas; Urban environments
• ISSN: 0378-7788; 1872-6178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109625

The built environment and its direct surroundings show great potential for sustainable energy harvesting but often face the challenge of being integrated with solar energy generators in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In this work, we demonstrate the inkjet printing of luminescent solar concentrators with striking imagery as a promising solution where energy generation and aesthetic possibilities of transparent surfaces become possible. Inkjet printing is used to create a variety of unique patterns for enhanced aesthetics, while a model study explores the effect of patterning and use of multiple colors with this technique on the output of the device.