The fabrication and full characterization of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) comprising CdSe core/multishell quantum dots (QDs) is reported. TEM analysis shows that the QDs are well dispersed in the acrylic medium while maintaining a high quantum yield of 45%, resulting in highly transparent and luminescent polymer plates. A detailed optical analysis of the QD-LSCs including absorption, emission, and time-resolved fluorescence measurements is presented. Both silicon and GaAs solar cells attached to the side of the QD-LSCs are used to measure the external quantum efficiency and power conversion efficiency (2.8%) of the devices. Stability tests show only a minor decrease of 4% in photocurrent upon an equivalent of three months outdoor illumination. The optical data are used as input for a ray-trace model that is shown to describe the properties of the QD-LSCs well. The model was then used to extrapolate the properties of the small test devices to predict the power conversion efficiency of a 50×50 cm2 module with a variety of different solar cells. The work described here gives a detailed insight into the promise of QD-based LSCs

III–V concentrator photovoltaic systems attain high efficiency through the use of series connected multi‐junction solar cells. As these solar cells absorb over distinct bands over the solar spectrum, they have a more complex response to real illumination conditions than conventional silicon solar cells. Estimates for annual energy yield made assuming fixed reference spectra can vary by up to 15% depending on the assumptions made. Using a detailed computer simulation, the behaviour of a 20‐cell InGaP/In0.01GaAs/Ge multi‐junction concentrator system was simulated in 5‐min intervals over an entire year, accounting for changes in direct normal irradiance, humidity, temperature and aerosol optical depth. The simulation was compared with concentrator system monitoring data taken over the same period and excellent agreement (within 2%) in the annual energy yield was obtained. Air mass, aerosol optical depth and precipitable water have been identified as atmospheric parameters with the largest impact on system efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The performance of concentrator photovoltaic systems can be characterised by the power output under reference conditions and the output energy yield under realistic solar illumination. For a range of locations, the frequency distribution of individual atmospheric parameters and their quantitative impact on power output of a concentrator photovoltaic system have been evaluated, with aerosols shown to have a substantial impact on performance at many sites. Limited knowledge of atmospheric parameters results in a difference of up to 75% in simulated energy yield over an annual period and up to 75% deviation in the expected levelised cost of energy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract:We propose and experimentally demonstrate that, contrary to what was thought up to now, an efficient BB84 operation is feasible using the double phase modulator (PM-PM) configuration in frequency-coded quantum key distribution systems without dispersion compensation. This is achieved by exploiting the chromatic dispersion provided by the fiber linking Alice and Bob. Thus, we refer to this system as dispersion supported or as the DS BB84 PM-PM configuration.

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