Spectrally-engineered solar thermal photovoltaic devices
US9929690B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A solar thermal photovoltaic device, and method of forming same, includes a solar absorber and a spectrally selective emitter formed on either side of a thermally conductive substrate. The solar absorber is configured to absorb incident solar radiation. The solar absorber and the spectrally selective emitter are configured with an optimized emitter-to-absorber area ratio. The solar thermal photovoltaic device also includes a photovoltaic cell in thermal communication with the spectrally selective emitter. The spectrally selective emitter is configured to permit high emittance for energies above a bandgap of the photovoltaic cell and configured to permit low emittance for energies below the bandgap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.