TY  - JOUR
AU  - Katepalli, Anudeep
AU  - Mohankumar, Thiraj
AU  - Gandharapu, Meher Saketh
AU  - Shrestha, Sagar
AU  - Harfmann, Anton
AU  - Bonmarin, Mathias
AU  - Krupczak, John
AU  - Shi, Donglu
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/09/11
TI  - Photon Recycling for Indoor Energy Harvesting: Optical Optimization of LED-Driven Silicon Photovoltaic Systems
JO  - Journal of Energy and Power Technology
SP  - 013
VL  - 07
IS  - 03
AB  - Indoor environments offer a unique opportunity for photon recycling using LED-based illumination, particularly to address energy limitations of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems during nighttime or in low-light conditions. This study presents an optical and electrical performance evaluation of silicon-based photovoltaic (SPV) panels operating under controlled indoor LED lighting. Despite the low irradiance (~1.4 mW/cm2), significant power output was achieved through engineered panel configurations and optimized light–panel distance. A series-connected SPV array demonstrated a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 31%, approaching the theoretical limit for silicon PVs under solar spectrum. Photon recycling efficiency reached 37.23%, with cumulative energy outputs of 0.19 kWh (series) and 0.32 kWh (parallel) over 20 hours of operation. The optical design considerations - including spectral compatibility between LEDs and silicon bandgap, angular incidence, and light concentration - were critical to enhancing system performance. A techno-economic projection for integration in a high-rise commercial setting (Willis Tower) estimates annual energy generation of 1.63 GWh and savings over $325,000. These findings demonstrate the viability of optically optimized indoor PV systems as a complementary solution to conventional solar panels, enabling energy harvesting from ambient lighting in commercial and high-density infrastructure.
SN  - 2690-1692
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/jept.2503013
DO  - 10.21926/jept.2503013
ID  - Katepalli2025
ER  -