Test of a spectral splitting prototype hybridizing photovoltaic and solar syngas power generation

Abstract

Cost-effective solar power generation systems are of vital importance. The efficient use of full-spectrum sunlight has drawn widespread attention in solar power generation. Here, a 2 kWe hybrid prototype coupling monocrystalline silicon photovoltaics and solar syngas fuelling a heat engine is proposed and experimentally tested. Using double-layer parabolic trough mirrors as the concentrator, the full-spectrum sunlight is split into different wavebands. Split visible and near-infrared sunlight are provided for the photovoltaics and converted into electricity, while both ultraviolent and far-infrared sunlight are used to drive methanol decomposition and produce solar syngas as a fuel for internal combustion engines. At a given solar irradiance intensity, the testing results show that the net solar-to-electricity efficiency of the hybrid prototype is 20.2%. Furthermore, comparison experiments are carried out between the hybrid prototype and the individual power system. The results show that the efficiency of the hybrid prototype is 5.2% higher than that of individual concentrated solar photovoltaics. This study provides an innovative approach to synergistically couple photovoltaic and solar thermal fuel for the cascading use of full-spectrum sunlight.