The quantum dot solar concentrator (QDSC) is a novel non-tracking solar concentrator comprising quantum dots (QDs) seeded in materials such as plastics and glasses, that concentrates both direct and diffuse solar energy on attached photovoltaic cells. Spectroscopic measurements have been undertaken for a range of different quantum dot (QD) types and transparent host materials. High transparency in the matrix material and QDs with high quantum efficiency are essential for an efficient QDSC. An optimum matrix material for a QDSC has been determined based on absorption characteristics and an optimum commercially available QD type has been chosen using steady-state absorption, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy of QDs in solution and solid matrices. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.