High-efficiency solar thermophotovoltaic system using a nanostructure-based selective emitter

Bhatt, Rajendra; Kravchenko, Ivan; Gupta, Mool C.

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2020.01.029

High-efficiency solar thermophotovoltaic system using a nanostructure-based selective emitter

Journal Article · Mon Jan 20 23:00:00 EST 2020 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2020.01.029· OSTI ID:1607152

Bhatt, Rajendra ^[1]; ^[2]; Gupta, Mool C. ^[3]

Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States); Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Hampton, VA (United States)
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

Herein, we present the design, fabrication, optimization, and experimental results of a high-efficiency planar solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system utilizing a micro-textured absorber and a nanostructure multilayer metal-dielectric coated selective emitter fabricated on a tungsten (W) substrate. Light absorptance of more than 90% was achieved at visible and near-infrared wavelengths using the microtextured absorbing surface. The nanostructure selective emitter consists of two thin-film optical coatings of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and a layer of W in between to increase the surface emissivity in spectral regimes matching the quantum efficiency of the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. Gallium antimonide (GaSb)-based TPV cells are used in our STPV design. The experiment was conducted at different operating temperatures using a high-power continuous wave laser diode stack as a simulated source of concentrated incident radiation. Our experimental setup measured a maximum electrical output power density of 1.71 W/cm² at 1676 K STPV temperature, and the overall power conversion efficiency of 8.4% after normalizing the output power density to the emitter area. This is the highest STPV system efficiency reported so far for any experimental STPV device. The incident optical laser power on the absorber side was 131 W. This is equivalent to a solar concentration factor of ~2100, which is within the practical limit and readily achievable with Fresnel lens setup.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1607152

Journal Information:: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 197; ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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High-efficiency solar thermophotovoltaic system using a nanostructure-based selective emitter

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