Authors
Nick Brekke, John Dale, Drew DeJarnette, Parameswar Hari, Matthew Orosz, Kenneth Roberts, Ebrima Tunkara, Todd Otanicar
Publication date
2018/8/1
Journal
Renewable Energy
Volume
123
Pages
683-693
Publisher
Pergamon
Description
This work explores recent advancements of a concentrating hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (CPV/T) system, with an emphasis on detailed modeling and parametric performance studies. This system combines two widely researched methods of harnessing solar energy: photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal. The CPV/T system proposed here uses a nanoparticle-based heat transfer fluid to spectrally absorb bands of the solar spectrum not efficiently utilized by the PV cell or below the bandgap of the cell with the remaining light transmitted to the PV. The fluid's spectral absorption characteristics can be tuned depending on the PV cell bandgap. A unique architecture designed in this study allows the fluid to be pumped through a transparent glass structure where it absorbs wavelengths not effectively utilized by the PV cell. This work documents the development of a 2-D thermal model of a hybrid CPV/T system. The novel …
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