${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ -doped glass and glass ceramic containing ZnO nanocrystals were prepared by the melting–quenching method and subsequent heat treatment. Intense near-IR emission around $1000\mathrm{nm}$ that originated from the transition of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}:{}^2{\mathrm{F}}_{5/2}\to {}^2{\mathrm{F}}_{7/2}$ was generated as a result of energy transfer from oxygen interstitials in ZnO nanocrystals to ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ with energy transfer efficiency of about 10%. The quantum yield for the near-IR emission of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ under the excitation of $390\mathrm{nm}$ was about 16.7%. These materials have potential application in achieving high-efficiency Si solar cells via spectrum modification.