A Photothermal Solar Tunnel Radiator (PSTR) is designed and developed by employing multiple transparent photothermal glass panels (TPGP). The primary objective is to pioneer a transformative approach to achieve energy-neutral building heating utilities, exemplified by a lab-scale "Photothermal Solar Box" (PSB) exclusively heated with TPGP under natural sunlight. The PSTR presents a novel paradigm for sustainable energy, enabling direct solar energy capture through transparent glass substrates with photothermal coatings. The high transparency of Fe3O4@Cu2-xS coated glass substrates enhance efficient solar harvesting and photothermal energy generation within the Photothermal Solar Box. The system demonstrates an impressive thermal energy output, reaching up to 9.1x105 joules with 8 photothermal panels in parallel. Even under colder conditions (ambient temperature: -10 °C), with accelerated heat loss, the interior temperatures of the PSB with partial thermal insulation achieve a commendable 35 °C, showcasing effective photothermal heating in cold weather. These findings indicate the system's resilience and efficiency in harnessing solar energy under diverse conditions, including partial cloudy weather. The initiative contributes to broader sustainability goals by providing a scalable and practical alternative to traditional solar heating methods, aligning with the global mission for a cleaner, greener future.
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Synergistic photothermal-thermoelectric-photovoltaic energy generation via a transparent spectral modulating solar module
The efficiencies of photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) have been limited by the intrinsic properties to ~ 25 % and ~ 10 %, respectively. In current applications, photovoltaics utilizes the shorter wavelength end of the solar spectrum but suffer decreases in efficiency from heating caused by IR absorption. The novel tunable nanostructures of new hybrids eliminate this problem by directing thermal energy from longer wavelengths to the thermoelectric device. Solar light is harvested through transparent hybrid and segregated into different wavelengths: the IR is absorbed by the hybrid which is photothermally heated up to ~100 °C for the required thermoelectric temperature span; the UV/visible is directed to PV with reduced IR components, therefore significantly reducing heating. In this way, both PV and TE operate jointly by separately utilizing the full spectrum of solar light. The novel hybrid functions not only as a photothermal heater for TE but also a wavelength segregator enabling the PV and TE devices to synergistically produce electrical energy with much greater system efficiency. Also identified is the operating structural mechanism on spectral tunability and photothermal effect of the photonic hybrids.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1953009
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10503533
- Publisher / Repository:
- Elsevier
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Solar Energy
- Volume:
- 258
- Issue:
- C
- ISSN:
- 0038-092X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 220 to 231
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- spectral selective, solar harvesting, photothermal, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, energy generation, hybrids
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.05.001
