Efficiency of solar-thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems can be improved by controlling spectral property of thermal radiation to match the photovoltaic (PV) cells spectral response. We developed a spectrally selective emitter which can emit quasi-monochromatic thermal radiation to improve the efficiency of TPV systems. From the evaluation by the detailed-balance model for gallium antimonite (GaSb) TPV cells, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency over 50 % is achievable in the case of the emitter temperature over 1800K and emitter Q-value over 15. The numerical simulation based on Rigorous-Coupled Wave Analysis revealed that the quasi-monochromatic thermal radiation can be obtained by closed-end microcavity structure. A solar-TPV system equipped with a solar-simulator is fabricated to evaluate the effect of spectrally selective emitter. By using GaSb TPV cells and spectrally selective emitter based on dielectric layer coating, photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 26% and total efficiency of 7.7% are obtained at emitter temperature of 1654 K under 384 suns.
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
High-Efficiency Thermophotovoltaic System by Quasi-Monochromatic Thermal Radiation Available to Purchase
Kohiyama, A, Shimizu, M, Kobayashi, H, Iguchi, F, & Yugami, H. "High-Efficiency Thermophotovoltaic System by Quasi-Monochromatic Thermal Radiation." Proceedings of the ASME 2014 8th International Conference on Energy Sustainability collocated with the ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Volume 1: Combined Energy Cycles, CHP, CCHP, and Smart Grids; Concentrating Solar Power, Solar Thermochemistry and Thermal Energy Storage; Geothermal, Ocean, and Emerging Energy Technologies; Hydrogen Energy Technologies; Low/Zero Emission Power Plants and Carbon Sequestration; Photovoltaics; Wind Energy Systems and Technologies. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. June 30–July 2, 2014. V001T09A001. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2014-6743
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