半透明太阳能电池的热力学极限效率研究

Thermodynamic Efficiency Limits of Semitransparent Solar Cells

半透明太阳能电池可充分利用现代建筑的太阳照射面积,具有广阔的应用前景,其热力学极限效率是重要的基础问题。本工作将已有研究中用于建筑窗户的无色半透明太阳能电池拓展至可安装于建筑幕墙表面的彩色半透明太阳能电池,基于细致平衡原理计算其热力学极限效率,以便更全面地描绘半透明太阳能电池在建筑一体化应用的前景。结果表明,用于窗户的无色半透明太阳能电池的极限效率为18.1%,而安装于蓝色建筑幕墙表面的半透明太阳能电池的极限效率高达28.3%,提升了10个百分点。本研究的彩色半透明太阳能电池扩大了可利用的太阳照射面积,有望弥补太阳能能量密度低的问题。研究结果可以指导选择合适的半导体材料和设计新材料。

Semitransparent photovoltaics(STPV)is a promising solar energy harvesting technology because it can be integrated to harness huge sun-facing areas of modern buildings for electricity generation.Its thermodynamic efficiency limits are of fundamental interest.This work extended the analyses from neutral STPV for building windows to those installed on the surface of colored building envelops according to the principle of detailed balance.Results show that the efficiency limit of STPV for blue building envelops is as high as 28.3%,which represents a 10%absolute enhancement compared to the neutral STPV for building windows(18.1%).These results demonstrate that STPV can be integrated into both windows and envelops of modern buildings,which has the potential to offset the low density of solar energy.This work provides guidelines on the selection and the development of active materials for STPV.