3.2.3 Spectrum Splitting

Investigators

M. Keevers, J.Jiang, N. Ekins-Daukes, M. Green

Partners

ayGen Resources Pty Ltd, AzurSpace Gmbh, SolAero Inc.

 

              A tandem cell performs spectrum splitting naturally, with broadband sunlight being selectively absorbed by absorbers stacked one upon another. Considerable freedom in design can be achieved by separating separate bands of sunlight an directing them towards different solar cells. The approach is particularly well suited for concentrator PV systems, such as those built by the Australian company RayGen Resourc towards a central receiver.

Working in partnership with RayGen, researchers at UNSW have set the world record for solar power conversion of 40.6% outdoor efficiency (Green et all, 2015) and are working to augment this to 50% with project partners AzurSpace and SolAero. es Pty Ltd where light from a heliostat mirror field is directed towards a central receiver.

To date PV-Thermal schemes have generated modest electrical power and a great deal of lowgrade heat with limited application. We can turn this around by delivering extremely high electrical photovoltaic power conversion and a separate thermal absorber that delivers high-grade process heat. Decoupling the cell temperature from the thermal fluid temperature enables much higher process heat temperatures and enables the concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPV-T) systems built by RayGen to access a larger range of applications.

Activities

• Progress >50% outdoor photovoltaic solar power conversion

• Research design of a manufacturable spectrum splitting receiver that is configurable for high photovoltaic efficiency or hybrid PV-Thermal solar energy harvesting.

• Progress separation of the electrical and thermal generation in a high-efficiency, high temperature receiver.