A concentrating photovoltaic system based on liquid crystal light modulation

Abstract

A concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system with a steady electric output adopting an electrically tunable concentration ratio of the LC light modulation is demonstrated. The distribution of the LC directors of the LC light modulation can be controlled by an applied voltage in order to adjust the number of incident photons in an area. Therefore the system can be operated with an static and maximum output under different ambient illuminations because the LC light modulation helps to increase photocurrent at a low illumination and prevent the effect of the series resistance at a high illumination.