1997 · 26 citations · 0 references
EngineeringElectrical EngineeringHeat TransferRenewable Energy IntegrationRenewable Energy SystemsCogeneration SystemsEnergy ConversionRenewable EnergySolar CellsSolar Energy SystemsSolar Photovoltaic SystemsOff-grid Energy SystemsOff-grid Photovoltaic SystemsOn-site Solar PhotovoltaicsPhotovoltaic Energy SystemsPhotovoltaic SystemsPower Conversion EfficiencySolar Photovoltaic EnergySolar Photovoltaic Power Systems
High power density and high capacity factor are important attributes of a thermophotovoltaics (TPV) system and GaSb cells are enabling for TPV systems. A TPV cogeneration unit at an off grid site will compliment solar arrays producing heat and electricity on cloudy days with the solar arrays generating electricity on sunny days. Herein, we project that GaSb cells generating 2 Watts each can be made in 1 MW quantities at $4 per cell. This will allow TPV circuits to be made at $2 per Watt. At this cost, the off-grid cogeneration and self-powered furnace markets will be viable.