Thermophotovoltaics (TPVs) offer a promising solution for efficient energy conversion from infrared photons to electricity, with applications ranging from solar-thermal energy conversion to waste heat recovery. Despite significant advancements, predicting optimal performance across various temperatures and bandgaps remains challenging. Our study, just published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, introduces an empirical model that accurately predicts TPV performance by considering both spectral and electrical losses. This model helps optimize system efficiency and power density, paving the way for more reliable and effective TPV applications.
A big congratulations to PhD student Titilope Dada, who led this work, and thanks to our collaborators at NREL!