  We model and simulate the performance of charge-transfer in nonphotochemical
quenching (NPQ) in the CP29 light-harvesting antenna-complex associated with
photosystem II (PSII). The model consists of five discrete excitonic energy
states and two sinks, responsible for the potentially damaging processes and
charge-transfer channels, respectively. We demonstrate that by varying (i) the
parameters of the chlorophyll-based dimer, (ii) the resonant properties of the
protein-solvent environment interaction, and (iii) the energy transfer rates to
the sinks, one can significantly improve the performance of the NPQ. Our
analysis suggests strategies for improving the performance of the NPQ in
response to environmental changes, and may stimulate experimental verification.
