Demonstration of Thermophotovoltaics for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System

A non-imaging (NI) device and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) array for use in a full-spectrum solar energy system has been designed, built, and tested [1,2,3]. This system was designed to utilize the otherwise wasted infrared (IR) energy that is separated from the visible portion of the solar spectrum before the visible light is harvested. The IR energy will be converted to electricity via a gallium antimonide (GaSb) TPV array. The experimental apparatus for the testing of the IR optics and TPV performance is described. Array performance data will be presented, along with a comparison between outdoor experimental tests and laboratory flash tests. An analysis of the flow of the infrared energy through the collection system will be presented, and recommendations will be made for improvements. The TPV array generated a maximum of 26.7 W, demonstrating a conversion efficiency of the IR energy of 12%.

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Demonstration of Infrared-Photovoltaics for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.2147587 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 128 (1) ◽

pp. 30-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dan Dye ◽

Byard Wood ◽

Lewis Fraas ◽

Jeanette Kretschmer

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Gallium Antimonide ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Energy System ◽

Maximum Efficiency ◽

Infrared Transmission ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Imaging Device ◽

Pv Array ◽

Experimental Apparatus

A nonimaging (NI) device and infrared-photovoltaic (IR-PV) array for use in a full-spectrum solar energy system has been designed, built, and tested (Dye et al., 2003, “Optical Design of an Infrared Non-Imaging Device for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System,” Proceedings of the ASME International Solar Energy Society Conference; Dye and Wood, 2003, Infrared Transmission Efficiency of Refractive and Reflective Non-Imaging Devices for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System,” Nonimaging Optics: Maximum Efficiency Light Transfer VII, Proc. SPIE, 5185; Fraas et al., 2001, Infrared Photovoltaics for Combined Solar Lighting and Electricity for Buildings,” Proceedings of 17th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference}. This system was designed to utilize the otherwise wasted infrared (IR) energy that is separated from the visible portion of the solar spectrum before the visible light is harvested. The IR energy will be converted to electricity via a gallium antimonide (GaSb) IR-PV array. The experimental apparatus for the testing of the IR optics and IR-PV performance is described. Array performance data will be presented, along with a comparison between outdoor experimental tests and laboratory flash tests. An analysis of the flow of the infrared energy through the collection system will be presented, and recommendations will be made for improvements. The IR-PV array generated a maximum of 26.7W, demonstrating a conversion efficiency of the IR energy of 12%.

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Optical Design of an Infrared Non-Imaging Device for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System

Solar Energy ◽

10.1115/isec2003-44229 ◽

2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dan Dye ◽

Byard Wood ◽

Lewis Fraas ◽

Jeff Muhs

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

National Laboratory ◽

Optical Design ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Energy System ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Imaging Device ◽

Oak Ridge ◽

Receiver System

A solar collector/receiver system for a full-spectrum solar energy system is being designed by a research team lead by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Nevada, Reno. [1,2] This solar energy system is unique in that it utilizes the majority of the solar spectrum by splitting the infrared (IR) and visible energy for two different end uses. The visible light will be used for day lighting and the IR energy for electrical power generation. This paper is concerned with the optics that will provide uniform irradiance of the IR energy on the thermal photovoltaic (TPV) array. The benchmark full-spectrum collector/receiver and prototype TPV array have been built [3], so the work performed here is to match the two systems together for optimal performance. The design consists of a non-imaging (NI) system for the IR flux incident on the TPV array mounted behind the secondary mirror. Results of the ray-tracing analysis of the different systems tested are presented.

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Optical Design of an Infrared Non-Imaging Device for a Full-Spectrum Solar Energy System

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.1639381 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 126 (1) ◽

pp. 676-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dan Dye ◽

Byard Wood ◽

Lewis Fraas ◽

Jeff Muhs

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Research Team ◽

National Laboratory ◽

Optical Design ◽

Energy System ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Imaging Device ◽

Oak Ridge ◽

Secondary Mirror ◽

The University

A full-spectrum solar energy system is being designed by a research team lead by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Nevada, Reno. [1,2] The benchmark collector/receiver and prototype thermophotovoltaic (TPV) array have been built [3], so the work performed here is to match the two systems together for optimal performance. It is shown that a hollow, rectangular-shaped non-imaging (NI) device only 23 cm long can effectively distribute the IR flux incident on the TPV array mounted behind the secondary mirror. Results of the ray-tracing analysis of the different systems tested are presented.

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Infrared transmission efficiency of refractive and reflective nonimaging devices for a full-spectrum solar energy system

10.1117/12.506318 ◽

2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dan J. Dye ◽

Byard Wood

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Energy System ◽

Transmission Efficiency ◽

Infrared Transmission ◽

Full Spectrum

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Full Spectrum Collection of Concentrated Solar Energy Using PV Coupled with Selective Filtration Utilizing Nanoparticles

MRS Advances ◽

10.1557/adv.2016.439 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (43) ◽

pp. 2935-2940 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Todd Otanicar ◽

Drew DeJarnette ◽

Nick Brekke ◽

Ebrima Tunkara ◽

Ken Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Organic Rankine Cycle ◽

Industrial Process ◽

Rankine Cycle ◽

Total System ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Concentrated Solar Energy ◽

Pass Through

ABSTRACTHybrid solar receivers utilizing both photovoltaic cells and thermal collectors are capable of collecting the entire solar spectrum for use in energy systems. Such systems provide efficient solar energy conversion using PV in addition to dispatchability through thermal storage by incorporating a thermal collector in conjunction with the PV. Proposed hybrid systems typically invoke spectrum splitting so to redirect photons optimized for PV electric conversion to a cell while non-PV efficient photons are directed to a thermal absorber. This work discusses a hybrid system with a selective solar filter using a suspended nanoparticle fluid to directly absorb non-PV photons. Non-absorbed photons pass through the filter and impact the PV. Choice of nanoparticles in the fluid allow absorption and transmission of specific wavelengths. Nanoparticles were chosen based on optimization simulations for a bandpass filter to a cSi solar cell. The synthesized fluid has been experimentally characterized to show the effects of high temperature on nanoparticle stability and optical properties. Thermodynamic modeling of the system suggests solar to electric efficiency of the total system is 23.2% if all thermal energy is converted to electricity through an organic Rankine cycle (ORC). However, high temperature generation could be used for industrial process heat at a specific temperature by changing parameters such as absorbed energy and flow rates. Furthermore, a prototype is being developed with 14x concentration to demonstrate the technology on-sun with initial testing targeted for the 2nd quarter of 2016. Overall, the hybrid nanoparticle filter concentrating solar collector can be modified to fit a variety of applications through easily changeable parameters in the system.

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Visible Light-Responsive N-Doped TiO2 Photocatalysis: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Applications

Transactions of Tianjin University ◽

10.1007/s12209-021-00303-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shiwen Du ◽

Juhong Lian ◽

Fuxiang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Visible Light ◽

Environmental Remediation ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Light Response ◽

Physicochemical Characteristics ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

As Doping ◽

Energy Applications ◽

Recent Developments

AbstractPhotocatalysis based on semiconductors has recently been receiving considerable research interest because of its extensive applications in environmental remediation and renewable energy generation. Various semiconductor-based materials that are vital to solar energy utilization have been extensively investigated, among which titanium oxide (TiO2) has attracted considerable attention because of its exceptional physicochemical characteristics. However, the sluggish responsiveness to visible light in the solar spectrum and the inefficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs hamper the practical application of TiO2 materials. To overcome the aforementioned serious drawbacks of TiO2, numerous strategies, such as doping with foreign atoms, particularly nitrogen (N), have been improved in the past few decades. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update and description of the recent developments of N-doped TiO2 materials for visible light-responsive photocatalysis, such as (1) the preparation of N-doped/co-doped TiO2 photocatalysts and (2) mechanistic studies on the reasons for visible light response. Furthermore, the most recent and significant advances in the field of solar energy applications of modified N-doped TiO2 are summarized. The analysis indicated the critical need for further development of these types of materials for the solar-to-energy conversion, particularly for water splitting purposes.

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Investigation of the Effect of Solar Ventilation on the Cabin Temperature of Vehicles Parked under the Sun

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su132413963 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 13963

Author(s):

Hani Al-Rawashdeh ◽

Ahmad O. Hasan ◽

Hazem A. Al-Shakhanbeh ◽

Mujahed Al-Dhaifallah ◽

Mohamed R. Gomaa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Ventilation System ◽

Experimental Tests ◽

Energy System ◽

Atmospheric Temperature ◽

The Sun ◽

Average Difference ◽

Vehicle Cabin ◽

Cabin Temperature ◽

Very High

During hot days, the temperature inside vehicles parked under the sun is very high; according to previous studies, the vehicle cabin temperature can be more than 20 °C higher than the ambient temperature. Due to the greenhouse effect, the heating that occurs inside a vehicle while it is parked under the sun has an impact on energy crises and environmental pollution. In addition, the increase in the temperature inside the cabin will have an effect on the dashboard and plastic accessories and the leather on the seats will age rapidly. The ventilation of solar energy from the cabin of a vehicle parked under the blazing sun has received a great deal of attention. The present study was conducted to utilize a renewable energy system to operate the ventilation system through a novel portable ventilation system powered by solar energy. Experimental results were obtained for a vehicle with and without the solar ventilation system. The results indicate that the maximum daily average difference in temperature during the experimental tests between the cabin of the car and the atmospheric temperature with and without the solar ventilation system was 7.2 °C and 20.6 °C, respectively. With and without the usage of the system, the minimum average difference in temperature between the automobile’s cabin and the atmospheric temperature was 6.2 °C and 17.6 °C, respectively. The results indicate that the proposed system is effective and that the thermal comfort inside the vehicle’s cabin improved when the vehicle was parked under the hot sun. Therefore, this system helps to protect human bodies, conserve energy, protect the environment, protect the vehicle’s cabin, and provide a comfortable environment.

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