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Title: Solar thermophotovoltaic system using nanostructures

Journal Article · · Optics Express
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.0A1149· OSTI ID:1215666
 [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (US). Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering.
  2. Argonne National Lab., Argonne, IL (United States). Center for Nanoscale Materials.

This paper presents results on a highly efficient experimental solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system using simulated solar energy. An overall power conversion efficiency of 6.2% was recorded under solar simulation. This was matched with a thermodynamic model, and the losses within the system, as well as a path forward to mitigate these losses, have been investigated. The system consists of a planar, tungsten absorbing/emitting structure with an anti-reflection layer coated laser-microtextured absorbing surface and single-layer dielectric coated emitting surface. A GaSb PV cell was used to capture the emitted radiation and convert it into electrical energy. This simple structure is both easy to fabricate and temperature stable, and contains no moving parts or heat exchange fluids.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1215666
Journal Information:
Optics Express, Vol. 23, Issue 19; ISSN 1094-4087
Publisher:
Optical Society of America (OSA)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 50 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Concept and design of modular Fresnel lenses for concentration solar PV system journal December 2006
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Cited By (9)

Broadband Metamaterial Absorbers journal October 2018
Pareto Optimal Spectrally Selective Emitters for Thermophotovoltaics via Weak Absorber Critical Coupling journal July 2018
Near-field radiative thermoelectric energy converters: a review journal December 2017
Enhanced photovoltaic energy conversion using thermally based spectral shaping journal May 2016
Enhanced collection efficiencies and performance of interband cascade structures for narrow bandgap semiconductor thermophotovoltaic devices journal July 2018
Practical emitters for thermophotovoltaics: a review journal February 2019
New insights into the thermal behavior and management of thermophotovoltaic systems journal January 2019
Heat meets light on the nanoscale journal January 2016
Heat meets light on the nanoscale text January 2016