Abstract
Based on high efficiency and wide spectral splitter film and Fresnel lens, we have theoretically investigated a full solar-spectrum power-generation system. Designed nano-multilayers are fabricated on Fresnel lens. Then short wavelengths (400 nm ~ 1100 nm) of solar-spectrum can be transmitted 95% to the solar cell, and long wavelengths (1100 nm ~ 2500 nm) of solar-spectrum can be reflected 90% and focused to the thermoelectric cell. This system can combine the efficiency of solar cells and thermoelectric cells to generate electricity across the entire solar spectrum. In theory, the limit for total conversion efficiency is $\eta =56.64$ %.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONSolar-energy conversion usually takes one of two forms: the quantum approach, which uses the large per-photon energy of solar radiation to excite electrons, as in photovoltaic cells, or the thermal approach, which uses concentrated sunlight as a thermal-energy source to indirectly produce electricity using a heat engine
Solar-energy conversion usually takes one of two forms: the quantum approach, which uses the large per-photon energy of solar radiation to excite electrons, as in photovoltaic cells, or the thermal approach, which uses concentrated sunlight as a thermal-energy source to indirectly produce electricity using a heat engine.In a photovoltaic (PV) cell, solar photons with energies above the semiconductor’s bandgap excite electrons into the conduction band, which diffuse to electrodes and generate current
Thermalization and absorption losses account for approximately 50% of the incident solar energy [1]
Summary
Solar-energy conversion usually takes one of two forms: the quantum approach, which uses the large per-photon energy of solar radiation to excite electrons, as in photovoltaic cells, or the thermal approach, which uses concentrated sunlight as a thermal-energy source to indirectly produce electricity using a heat engine. Solar spectral splitting is a strategy to optimize the extraction of exergy from sunlight through the separation of incident photons by energy levels (or wavelengths) This approach generally implements any combination of thermal, electrical, or chemical processes that can increase the efficiency of a device [13]–[16]. Based on FTO, we have studied quantum tunneling transparent conductive films [22] and anti-reflection nano multi-layers [23], [24] These kind of nano multi-layers can be fabricated by low cost techniques, for example magnetron sputtering, electron beam evaporation, and thermal deposition process. For long wavelength from 1150 nm to 2500 nm, the reflectance is above 90% This design of splitter film with high efficiency and wide spectral can meet our requirement for the full solar-spectrum power-generation system. The remaining parts (in Fig. 5(C)) keep the reflectance and focusing peculiarities of concave lens (in Fig. 5(A)), and has thinner structure, which can be easier to integrate smaller systems
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