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An Open-Source Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation Tool for Luminescent Solar Concentrators with Validation Studies Employing Scattering Phosphor Films

Author

Listed:
  • Duncan E. Smith

    (Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

  • Michael D. Hughes

    (Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

  • Bhakti Patel

    (Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

  • Diana-Andra Borca-Tasciuc

    (Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering Department, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

Abstract

Luminescent solar concentrators enhance the power output of solar cells through wave-guided luminescent emission and have great potential as building-integrated photovoltaics. Luminescent solar concentrators with a variety of geometries and absorbing–emitting materials have been reported in the literature. As the breadth of available experimental configurations continues to grow, there is an increasing need for versatile Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation tools to analyze the performance of these devices for specific applications. This paper presents the framework for a Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation tool that can be used to analyze a host of three-dimensional geometries. It incorporates custom radiative transport models to consider the effects of scattering from luminescent media, while simultaneously modeling absorption and luminescent emission. The model is validated using experimental results for three-dimensional planar and wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators employing scattering phosphor films. Performance was studied as a function of length, wavelength, and the angle of incidence of incoming light. The data for the validation studies and the code (written using the Python programming language) associated with the described model are publically available.

Suggested Citation

  • Duncan E. Smith & Michael D. Hughes & Bhakti Patel & Diana-Andra Borca-Tasciuc, 2021. "An Open-Source Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation Tool for Luminescent Solar Concentrators with Validation Studies Employing Scattering Phosphor Films," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:2:p:455-:d:481287
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hughes, Michael D. & Smith, Duncan E. & Borca-Tasciuc, Diana-Andra, 2020. "Performance of wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators employing phosphor films and annual energy estimation case studies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 513-525.
    2. Hughes, Michael D. & Maher, Christopher & Borca-Tasciuc, Diana-Andra & Polanco, David & Kaminski, Deborah, 2013. "Performance comparison of wedge-shaped and planar luminescent solar concentrators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 266-272.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oliveto, Vincent & Patel, Bhakti & Park, Kai & Smith, Duncan E. & Hughes, Michael D. & Borca-Tasciuc, Diana-Andra, 2023. "Theoretical investigation of asymmetric light interfaces for increasing optical efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators via integration of finite element simulation results with Monte Carlo ray ," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Smith, Duncan E. & Hughes, Michael D. & Borca-Tasciuc, Diana-Andra, 2022. "Towards a standard approach for annual energy production of concentrator-based building-integrated photovoltaics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 469-485.

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