Luminescent concentrator module of a practical size

A prototype of a luminescent concentrator module of a practical size of 960 mm/spl times/420 mm was designed, fabricated and evaluated. A new "bottom-mounting" configuration was introduced. Single crystalline silicon solar cells were mounted at the center of the bottom surface of a luminescent plate made of PMMA containing a perylene-derivative dye. Enhancement of the short-circuit current by a factor of 2.23 was achieved. Another advantage in performance of the module under the partial shadowing conditions was demonstrated.