Hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric system using a novel spectral splitting solar concentrator

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) system employing a novel solar concentrator is designed and constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of improving overall efficiency light-to-electricity conversion based on spectral splitting strategy. The consists four rectangular dichroic mirrors arranged in crossed V-trough configuration that reflects concentrates visible spectrum onto photovoltaic cell centre while passes infrared thermal absorber produce heat for thermoelectric generator. experimental results show PV-TE 16.9% compared 15.9% same except using specular aluminium mirrors. An increase by 6.3% was achieved due harvesting light energy spectrum. also significant power output from 12.41 mW bare 62.04 concentrated system, indicating advantages concentration particularly beneficial high-cost cells, such as GaAs GaInP.