Novel TPV System Comprising Optical Cavities and Bifacial PV Cells

The objectives of the proposed research are to design, build and test a simple but robust prototype thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system comprising an optical cavity configuration and a bifacial PV cell. As a part of this collaboration, the design and fabrication of an optical cavity-based TPV system will be done at York University. This optical cavity will be integrated with Bifacial PV cells designed and fabricated at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid as well as periodic emitters pending time availability. Tests will also be done on monofacial TPV cells integrated with cooling systems for comparison. As a secondary objective, Optical characterization of the PV cells, optical cavity, and emitter will be performed. The expected outcomes are a prototype of a simple but robust TPV system that integrates Bifacial PV cells from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and optical cavity based TPV systems designed at York University.

Faculty Supervisor:

Paul O'Brien

Student:

Partner:

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

York University

Program: