Open AccessPhotovoltaic–thermoelectric temperature control using a closed‐loop integrated cooler
Author(s) -
Rolley Matthew H.,
Sweet Tracy K.N.,
Min Gao
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
iet optoelectronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.379
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1751-8776
pISSN - 1751-8768
DOI - 10.1049/iet-opt.2017.0072
Subject(s) - concentrator , photovoltaic system , thermoelectric effect , temperature control , solar simulator , materials science , thermoelectric generator , optoelectronics , thermoelectric cooling , voltage , solar cell , temperature measurement , solar irradiance , photovoltaics , junction temperature , electronic engineering , optics , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , power (physics) , atmospheric sciences , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
The closed‐loop integrated cooler (CLIC) is a novel technique deployed on experimental apparatus to accurately measure, monitor and control the temperature of optoelectronic devices. Demonstrated here within a concentrator photovoltaic–thermoelectric (CPV–TE) hybrid device, the thermoelectric module was used as a solid‐state sensor and heat pump in order to control the operational temperature for a triple‐junction solar cell. The technique was used to achieve stable, reproducible and repeatable standard test conditions of 25°C cell temperature, with 1000 W/m 2 irradiance and AM1.5G spectrum. During testing with secondary optical element (SOE) optics in a solar simulator, the CLIC enabled accurate temperature control of the CPV cell. This would otherwise be unfeasible due to the spectral, reflective and diffusive effects of the SOE optics. The CLIC was used to obtain temporal and spatial constant temperature of the CPV‐TE hybrid receiver during current–voltage measurement. This method highlights the future potential of the CLIC for accurate temperature control of optoelectronic devices both during testing and in future semiconductor device applications where temperature control is essential to performance or lifetime.