Enhancing Efficiency of Luminescent Solar Concentrators through Laser Grooving Techniques

This study presents an innovative approach to mitigate the cost of solar devices by employing luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that act as waveguides to direct sunlight toward photovoltaic (PV) cells. LSCs, while effective, face challenges such as escape cones and reabsorption losses during light concentration. To address these issues, we investigate the application of a CO 2 laser grooving technique to create microstructure grooves with varying characteristics (depths and spacing) on polymeric waveguide sheets. Our findings reveal a significant improvement in optical properties within the 500–600 nm range, aligning well with the emission spectrum of luminophores in the polymer matrix plate and the solar cell. Current–voltage (I–V) measurements of silicon solar cells attached to the LSC edge exhibit enhanced performance postlaser grooving. Additionally, we explore the characteristics of the solar cell attached to the scribed LSCs under different incident light angles. The champion LSC device, built with a groove depth of 492 nm and a spacing of 0.2 mm, achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.47%, an open‐circuit voltage of 326.8 mV, a short‐circuit current density of 153.28 mA/cm 2 , and a fill factor of 50.8% under 100 mW/cm 2 illumination (AM 1.5 G). These results are in good agreement with the predictions. Experimental and predicted results indicate that the introduction of extensive microstructure grooves not only minimizes optical losses from the escape cone but also enhances the optical and electrical properties of LSC systems. Scribed LSC devices emerge as a practical choice for integration into zero‐ or net‐energy buildings.