Hybrid solar energy device for simultaneous electric power generation and molecular solar thermal energy storage
Journal article, 2024
The performance of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells can be adversely affected by the heat generated from solar irradiation. To address this issue, a hybrid device featuring a solar energy storage and cooling layer integrated with a silicon-based PV cell has been developed. This layer employs a molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage system to convert and store high-energy photons—typically underutilized by solar cells due to thermalization losses—into chemical energy. Simultaneously, it effectively cools the PV cell through both optical effects and thermal conductivity. Herein, it was demonstrated that up to 2.3% of solar energy could be stored as chemical energy. Additionally, the integration of the MOST system with the PV cell resulted in a notable decrease in the cell's surface temperature by approximately 8°C under standard solar irradiation conditions. The hybrid system demonstrated a solar utilization efficiency of 14.9%, underscoring its potential to achieve even greater efficiencies in forthcoming advanced hybrid PV solar energy systems.
molecular solar thermal energy storage
photovoltaics
solar energy conversion
solar energy storage
Author
Zhihang Wang
University of Cambridge
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Helen Hölzel
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Lorette Fernandez
Institute of Material Science of Barcelona (ICMAB)
Muhammad Adil Salman Aslam
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Paulius Baronas
Institute of Material Science of Barcelona (ICMAB)
Jessica Orrego Hernandez
Applied Surface Chemistry
Shima Ghasemi
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry
M. Campoy-Quiles
Institute of Material Science of Barcelona (ICMAB)
Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
Institute of Material Science of Barcelona (ICMAB)
Joule
25424351 (eISSN)
Vol. In PressPhoto Thermal Management Materials (PHOTERM)
European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/101002131), 2021-10-01 -- 2026-09-30.
Molecular Solar Thermal energy storage systems (MOST)
Swedish Energy Agency (2019-010724), 2019-05-07 -- 2019-09-03.
European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/951801), 2020-09-01 -- 2024-02-29.
Driving Forces
Sustainable development
Subject Categories
Energy Engineering
Energy Systems
Areas of Advance
Energy
DOI
10.1016/j.joule.2024.06.012