Specially designed solar cells for hybrid photovoltaic-thermal generators
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
The performance of hybrid photovoltaic-thermal systems can be improved using PV cells that are specially designed to generate both electricity and useful heat with maximum efficiency. Present systems, however, use standard PV cells that are only optimized for electrical performance. In this work, we have developed two cell-level components that will improve the thermal efficiency of PV-T collectors, with minimal loss of electrical efficiency. These are a spectrally-selective low-emissivity coating to reduce radiative thermal losses, and a nanotextured rear reflector to improve absorption of the near-infrared part of the solar spectrum for heat generation.
Date Issued
2016-11-21
Date Acceptance
2016-06-05
Citation
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2016 IEEE 43rd, 2016
Publisher
IEEE
Journal / Book Title
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2016 IEEE 43rd
Copyright Statement
©2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
657359
EP/M025012/1
Source
43rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2016-06-05
Finish Date
2016-06-10
Coverage Spatial
Portland, Oregon