The principle of a luminescent solar concentrator is analyzed with an emphasis on the photon-transport yield. A mathematical model is developed, which takes into account the loss factors related to the photon transport in the LSC matrix. The relations obtained show that whereas the optical efficiency is still a decreasing factor with the LSC size, the concentration ratio can be optimized with regard to the geometry, the input surface, and the thickness of the LSC. The experimental analysis, carried out on two types of fluorescent PMMA, confirms the effects of these geometrical parameters on the LSC performances. A concentration ratio of 22 has been obtained experimentally with monochromatic irradiation, and a flux gain of 9.5 has also been determined in real conditions.
