Open AccessEffective photon recycling in solar thermophotovoltaics using a confined cuboid emitter
Author(s) -
Asaka Kohiyama,
Makoto Shimizu,
Kana Konno,
Tomoya Furuhashi,
Hiroo Yugami
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.412764
Subject(s) - thermophotovoltaic , common emitter , cuboid , optics , materials science , energy conversion efficiency , planar , photovoltaic system , optoelectronics , quantum efficiency , physics , ecology , geometry , mathematics , computer graphics (images) , computer science , biology
For effective photon conversion in solar-thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems, an enclosed-space confined emitter system is proposed, and its power generation potential is demonstrated. A cuboid monolithic absorber/emitter is applied for higher extraction efficiency without dead areas. An analysis using an enclosed space shows a 4.1% higher absolute system efficiency than that using a planar absorber/emitter system. In the experiment, system efficiency reaches 7.0%, which is obtained after multiplying the power measured from one cell by five. A system efficiency more than 20% is achievable by further improvement with a back surface reflecting TPV cells and a perfectly enclosed space.