Semiconductor-dielectric-metal solar absorbers with high spectral selectivity

Tervo, Eric J.; Steiner, Myles A.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111735

Semiconductor-dielectric-metal solar absorbers with high spectral selectivity

Journal Article · Sun Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.111735· OSTI ID:1863213

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National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

An ideal solar thermal absorber has a sharp transition between high and low absorptance at the wavelength where the blackbody emissive power begins to exceed the solar irradiance. However, most real selective absorbers have a fairly broad transition, leading to both solar absorption and thermal emission losses. Here, we model, fabricate, and characterize a highly selective semiconductor-dielectric-metal (Ga0.46In0.54As - MgF2 - Ag) solar absorber with an extremely sharp transition from high to low absorptance. The thin semiconductor serves as a selective filter, absorbing photons with wavelengths shorter than the bandgap and transmitting those with longer wavelengths. The highly reflective dielectric-metal rear mirror allows the structure to have very low emittance for longer wavelengths. These characteristics provide the absorber with a measured solar absorptance >91% below the bandgap wavelength and infrared emittance <5% at 100 degrees C above the bandgap wavelength. This transition wavelength can be tuned by modifying the semiconductor composition, and modeling indicates that the absorber's optical properties should be stable at high temperatures, making the structure a good candidate for unconcentrated to highly concentrated solar thermal energy conversion.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1863213

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1862491

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-81677; MainId:82450; UUID:7b2ebcba-f549-4e73-b984-1e0c5520a267; MainAdminID:64276

Journal Information:: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal Name: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Vol. 240; ISSN 0927-0248

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Semiconductor-dielectric-metal solar absorbers with high spectral selectivity

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