Polymer-composite material with light concentrating and spectral shifting properties

An encapsulant for a solar cell, comprising:

• a film having a first side and an opposing second side;
• a first waveguide array formed in the film and positioned between the first and second sides, wherein each waveguide in the first waveguide array is commonly oriented at a first angle relative to a normal of a surface of the film;
• a second waveguide array formed in the film and positioned between the first and second sides, wherein each waveguide in the second waveguide array is commonly oriented at a second angle relative to a normal of a surface of the film;
• wherein each waveguide of the first waveguide array and each waveguide of the second waveguide array is formed by a core of a high-refractive index polymer and a cladding of a low refractive index polymer;
• wherein the first angle and second angle are opposite to one another relative to a normal of the surface of the film;
• and
• at least one light conversion material included in the formed core or cladding of each waveguide of the first and second waveguide array.

An encapsulant for a solar cell, comprising:

• a film having a first side and an opposing second side;
• a first waveguide array formed in the film and positioned between the first and second sides, wherein each waveguide in the first waveguide array is commonly oriented at a first angle relative to a normal of a surface of the film;
• a second waveguide array formed in the film and positioned between the first and second sides, wherein each waveguide in the second waveguide array is commonly oriented at a second angle relative to a normal of a surface of the film;
• wherein each waveguide of the first waveguide array and each waveguide of the second waveguide array is formed by a core of a high-refractive index acrylate monomer and a cladding of a low refractive index epoxide monomer;
• wherein the first angle and second angle are opposite to one another relative to a normal of the surface of the film;
• and
• a light converting material comprising a quantity of nanoparticles disposed in the first and second waveguide arrays, the nanoparticles being capable of upconverting IR portions of light entering the first side into visible light.