Specially Designed Solar Cells for Hybrid Photovoltaic-thermal Generators

Mellor, A. et al. (2016) Specially Designed Solar Cells for Hybrid Photovoltaic-thermal Generators. In: IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), Portland, OR, 5-10 June, 2016, pp. 2960-2963. ISBN 9781509027248 (doi: 10.1109/PVSC.2016.7750203)

Abstract

The performance of hybrid photovoltaic-thermal systems can be improved using PV cells that are specially designed to generate both electricity and useful heat with maximum efficiency. Present systems, however, use standard PV cells that are only optimized for electrical performance. In this work, we have developed two cell-level components that will improve the thermal efficiency of PV-T collectors, with minimal loss of electrical efficiency. These are a spectrally-selective low-emissivity coating to reduce radiative thermal losses, and a nanotextured rear reflector to improve absorption of the near-infrared part of the solar spectrum for heat generation.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ferre Llin, Dr Lourdes and Thoms, Dr Stephen and Paul, Professor Douglas
• Authors: Mellor, A., Guarracino, I., Ferre Llin, L., Alonso-Alvarez, D., Riverola, A., Thoms, S., Paul, D. J., Markides, C. N., Chemisana, D., Maier, S., and Ekins-Daukes, N.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• ISSN: 0160-8371
• ISBN: 9781509027248
• Published Online: 21 November 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 IEEE
• First Published: First published in IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC): 2960-2963
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy