LUminescent solar Concentrators based on recycled methylmethacrylate and Eco-compatible materials (LUCE)

A promising path to cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) systems is sunlight concentration. Over classical non-imaging geometrical concentrators, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) possess several advantages: low cost and weight, elevated theoretical concentration factors and aptitude to efficiently work with diffuse light without tracking or cooling equipment. Although considerable progress has been made, the diffusion of the LSC-PV systems in the building-integrated PV market appears still limited. To overcome this issue, a clear-cut breakthrough is needed. The revolutionary goal of LUCE is the realization of LSC slabs from recycled MMA (r-MMA) obtained from thermal depolymerization processes, thus reducing fossil resources utilization and CO2 emissions. New generations of efficient LSCs would be therefore stimulated by using materials from the circular economy, whereas PMMA recycling would be encouraged in view of its larger utilization in the field of sustainable energy production. This challenging objective will be realized by combining new high quantum yield push-pull organic fluorophores synthesized with “green” methodologies that will make use of catalytic processes and eco-benign solvents. The final objective is to demonstrate that LSC with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) > 8% can be obtained from r-MMA combined with robust and compatible high-performance fluorophores. To achieve such an exciting goal, the project brings together outstanding research scientists with complementary expertise in organic, computational, polymers and photovoltaic themes. LUCE tackles fundamental issues that bridge the gap between basic materials sciences and applied solar energy, providing significant advances in the critical societal challenges addressed by European Green Deal, PNR and PNRR Italian strategic plans such as climate action, environment, and clean, affordable and secure energy.