PVMirrors: Hybrid PV/CSP collectors that enable lower LCOEs

Kate Fisher, Zhengshan Yu, Rob Striling, Zachary Holman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The primary challenge with concentrating solar power (CSP) is that the conversion efficiency is low - and the cost high - compared to that of photovoltaics (PV), and the primary challenge with PV is that the energy generated cannot be stored cost effectively. We introduce a technology that hybridizes CSP and PV, resulting in power plants with high energy conversion efficiency and affordable storage. This is accomplished by replacing silvered troughs (or heliostat facets) with "PVMirrors" that and direct photons of each wavelength to the converter (PV or thermal) that may best use them. A PVMirror looks like a curved PV module that includes a spectrum-splitting dichroic mirror film; this film, which is the heart of the technology, transmits near-infrared light to the underlying silicon PV cells while reflecting both longer and shorter wavelengths to a thermal absorber tube. This paper investigates the optical performance of dichroic mirror film, the specularity of PVMirrors, and the anticipated levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from a PVMirror power plant. PVMirrors are found to decrease LCOE by more than 15% relative to CSP while retaining full dispatchability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSolarPACES 2016
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9780735415225
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 27 2017
Event22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Oct 11 2016Oct 14 2016

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1850
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other22nd International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityAbu Dhabi
Period10/11/1610/14/16

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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