A highly-efficient, concentrating-photovoltaic/thermoelectric hybrid generator. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kil, Tae-Hyeon; Kim, Sanghyeon; Jeong, Dae-Han; Geum, Dae-Myeong; Lee, Sooseok; Jung, Sung-Jin; Kim, Sangtae; Park, Chan; Kim, Jin-Sang; Baik, Jeong Min; Lee, Ki-Suk; Kim, Chang Zoo; Choi, Won Jun; Baek, Seung-Hyub
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 37(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid generator -- Concentrating photovoltaics -- Thermoelectrics -- Wafer bonding; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.05.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: A concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) cell exhibits the highest conversion efficiency among any solar cells. However, the further enhancement of the CPV efficiency is strongly limited by the heat generation at high solar concentrations. Here, we demonstrate a concentrating photovoltaic/thermoelectric hybrid generator using a single-junction, GaAs-based solar cell and a conventional thermoelectric module as a model system. Our hybrid generator gives rise to the conversion efficiency larger than the single CPV cell by ~3% at the solar concentration of 50 suns. Controlling thermal flow in the hybrid generator and the Peltier cooling effect is the key to achieving high efficiency. Our result provides a framework for designing a highly-efficient hybrid generator using both photo-electric and photo-thermal effects for the clean-energy production. Graphical abstract: This work experimentally demonstrates the viability of the CPV/TEG hybrid generator, and suggests promising routes to further improve the performance of the hybrid generator: (1) enhancing the thermal flow through the hybrid generator by transferring CPV on GaAs to Si substrate with a higher thermal conductivity, and (2) utilizing the Peltier cooling effect by load-resistance matching of TEG. Highlights: A highly-efficient, CPV/TE hybrid generator is demonstrated. The two constituent generators, CPV and TEG, are competing with each other. Thermal management is the key to optimize the performance of the hybrid generator.