The transition to fully energetically sustainable architecture through the realization of so-called net zero-energy buildings is currently in progress in areas with low population density. However, this is not yet true in cities, where the cost of land for the installation of ground photovoltaic (PV) is prohibitively high and the rooftop space is too scarce to accommodate the PV modules necessary for sustaining the electrical requirements of tall buildings. Thus, new technologies are being investigated to integrate solar-harvesting devices into building façades in the form of PV windows or envelope elements. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are the most promising technology for semi-transparent, electrodeless PV glazing systems that can be integrated ‘invisibly’ into the built environment without detrimental effects to the aesthetics of the building or the quality of life of the inhabitants. After 40 years of research, recent breakthroughs in the realization of reabsorption-free emitters with broadband absorption have boosted the performance of LSCs to such a degree that they might be commercialized in the near future. In this Perspective, we explore the successful strategies that have allowed this change of pace, examining and comparing the different types of chromophores and waveguide materials, and discuss the issues that remain to be investigated for further progress.

目前，在人口密度低的地区，正在通过所谓的零能耗净建筑向完全节能的可持续建筑过渡。但是，在城市中，这还不是真的。在这些城市中，安装地面光伏（PV）的土地成本过高，而且屋顶空间太稀缺，无法容纳维持高层建筑电气需求所需的PV模块。因此，正在研究将太阳能收集设备以PV窗户或围护结构形式集成到建筑立面中的新技术。发光太阳能聚光器（LSC）是半透明，无电极光伏玻璃窗系统可以“隐形”地集成到建筑环境中，而不会对建筑物的美观或居民的生活质量产生不利影响。经过40年的研究，在实现具有宽带吸收的无重吸收发射器方面的最新突破已将LSC的性能提高到一定程度，以至于它们可以在不久的将来实现商业化。在本《观点》中，我们探索了使步伐发生变化的成功策略，研究并比较了不同类型的生色团和波导材料，并讨论了有待进一步研究的问题。在实现具有宽带吸收的无重吸收发射器方面的最新突破将LSC的性能提高到一定程度，以至于它们可以在不久的将来实现商业化。在本《观点》中，我们探索了使步伐发生变化的成功策略，研究并比较了不同类型的生色团和波导材料，并讨论了有待进一步研究的问题。在实现具有宽带吸收的无重吸收发射器方面的最新突破已将LSC的性能提高到一定程度，以至于它们可以在不久的将来实现商业化。在本《观点》中，我们探索了使步伐发生变化的成功策略，研究并比较了不同类型的生色团和波导材料，并讨论了有待进一步研究的问题。