The EVOLUTE project was established to accelerate solar energy deployment and support the European Union’s goal of achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050. The built environment accounts for about 40% of the EU’s energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonising this sector critical. Luminescent Solar Energy Devices (LSEDs), including Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) and Luminescent Downshifting (LDS) devices, offer promising solutions for integrating solar technologies in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Façade-Integrated Photovoltaics (FIPV), and human-centric daylighting, enhancing occupant well-being. They also improve carbon capture and plant growth in agricultural greenhouses. However, challenges such as simulation constraints, computational inefficiency, lack of customisation, integration tools, and fabrication bottlenecks have limited LSED adoption.
Approach: To overcome these, EVOLUTE developed an advanced web-based platform for modelling, customisation, and optimisation of LSEDs across diverse solar applications. The platform integrates 3D adaptive Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) and Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) techniques, enabling geometry-independent design and performance evaluation. Its user-friendly interface allows tailored LSED configurations for enhanced efficiency and seamless integration.
Objectives: The project objectives included finalising core software, fabricating unconventional LSEDs based on software designs, identifying market niches with competitive analysis, and devising an IP and commercialisation strategy. EVOLUTE successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept adaptable algorithm platform, laying the foundation for commercialising advanced LSEDs. This innovation addresses key technological barriers, accelerating solar energy deployment and supporting Europe's ambitious 2050 decarbonization targets.
Impact: The EVLOUT Project successfully demonstrated a proof of concept for an Adaptable Algorithm Platform, forming the foundation for EVLOUT software development. This platform enables the design, optimisation, and performance evaluation of Luminescent Solar Energy Devices (LSEDs), supporting geometry-agnostic design and efficient performance enhancement. By accelerating the commercialisation of advanced LSEDs, EVLOUT addresses key technological challenges and fosters the next generation of solar innovation. Ultimately, these achievements contribute directly to Europe’s long-term decarbonisation goals.
