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Incorporation of Stokes shifting dyes into a Si-based photovoltaic thermal system

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Abstract

In this article, a novel photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) geometry is introduced that allows for passive microlensing, IR collection, and photovoltaic deployment, as in previous implementations, together with spectral splitting. Stokes shifting dyes of the Coumarin family were dispersed in a thermal fluid in front of a single-junction amorphous silicon PV using a tubular focusing geometry. This architecture effectively shifts the high-energy UV flux into near bandgap photons for the Si, while capturing the released energy of the Stokes transition as heat. By combining this with the thermal fluid’s IR absorption and the PV, the system converts a surprising amount of the solar flux into collectable power, with a 71.05% thermal conversion efficiency and 2.07% electrical efficiency, leading to a total system efficiency of conversion of 73.1 percent. Temperatures and heat flow were then simulated to connect optical characteristics to thermal transport characteristics and allow for optimization under various circumstances.

Impact statement

The large entry cost of solar makes it unattainable for large segments of the world’s population. In this article, we present a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system, made of low-cost, easily accessible materials that are simple to manufacture. Together, the components of the system harvest energy from nearly the entire solar spectrum using a photovoltaic, infrared absorbing thermal fluid and a Stokes shifting dye. The geometry of the PV/T acts as a passive microlens system while providing the additional benefit of keeping the PV cool. The modeling presented allows for optimization in specific applications.

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Data availability

The data sets generated during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

The code generated during this study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Laxman Poudel of WFU Physics and Anthony Le of WFU Chemistry for assistance with the spectroscopy measurements. The authors would also like to thank E. Chapman for assistance with handling of the glass tubes and D. Stieler for help with the quantum efficiency of the photovoltaic.

Funding

This work was supported by the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials and Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, USA

    Lindsey J. Gray, K. Burak Ucer & David L. Carroll

  2. Department of Engineering Physics, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, USA

    Daniela Buna

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  1. Lindsey J. Gray
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  2. Daniela Buna
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  3. K. Burak Ucer
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  4. David L. Carroll
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Authors contributed equally to this work.

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Correspondence to David L. Carroll.

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Gray, L.J., Buna, D., Ucer, K.B. et al. Incorporation of Stokes shifting dyes into a Si-based photovoltaic thermal system. MRS Bulletin 48, 449–458 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-022-00444-w

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