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Metamaterial-based integrated plasmonic absorber/emitter for solar thermo-photovoltaic systems
Last modified: 2011-12-09
Abstract
We will present a concept of an integrated frequency selective absorber/emitter based on an ultra-thin plasmonic metamaterial for Solar Thermo-Photovoltaics (STPV) applications. By employing non-shiny metals (such as tungsten), the absorption spectrum of the metamaterial is designed to be broad-band in the visible range and narrow-band in the infrared range. A detailed balance calculation demonstrates the total STPV system e±ciency exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit for emitter temperatures above Te = 1200K, and an e±ciency as high as 41% for Te = 2300K. Such emitter temperature is shown to be achievable under modest Sun concentration (less than 1000 Suns) because of the thermal insulation provided by the metamaterial. Experimental demonstration of the wide-angle frequency selective absorptivity will be presented, and its implications for developing broadband infrared absorbers/emitters will be discussed.