A nanostructure-based high-temperature selective absorber-emitter pair for a solar thermophotovoltaic system with narrowband thermal emission

Abstract

Using absorber-emitter modules, solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems could potentially break through the Shockley-Queisser limit. Efficient spectral selectivity and high temperature endurance are the keys to this technology. In this paper, a high-efficiency selective absorberemitter module based on refractory material nanostructures is designed for solar thermophotovoltaic applications. Our numerical simulations show that the proposed absorber-emitter module could provide a specified narrowband emission spectrum above the bandgap with optimal bandwidth, and its performance is robust and independent of incident angle and polarization. According to detailed balance calculations, over a broad range of module temperatures, the solar cell efficiency of our design could surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit by 41%.