Application of Phycocyanin Extracted from Cyanidioschyzon merolae in Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) enable the seamless incorporation of solar energy systems into architectural structures. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) represent a technology that offers a promising route for semitransparent solar harvesting. In this study, phycocyanin, a bio-derived luminescent material extracted from the extremophilic red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, was used as the emissive layer in thin-film LSCs to achieve a sustainable BIPV system. This material exhibited high transparency, strong red fluorescence, and notable stability under illumination conditions, primarily attributable to its unique pigment–protein structure. Thin-film LSCs incorporating phycocyanin at various weight ratios were fabricated and evaluated under simulated sunlight conditions. These concentrators demonstrated efficient photon collection and maintained stable optical performance during solar exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of phycocyanin derived from C. merolae as an eco-friendly and renewable alternative to conventional organic or synthetic luminophores, which can advance the development of sustainable and efficient LSC systems for next-generation BIPV applications.