Solar Thermophotovoltaics: Combining Solar Thermal and Photovoltaics Available to Purchase

An analysis of ideal solar converters from a thermodynamic point of view is presented that distinguishes between solar thermal and photovoltaic converters. The later do not have hot elements. Ideal solar thermophotovoltaic converters are also described as needing a Carnot machine for operation. The ideal solar cells can be such Carnot machine and therefore a solar thermophotovoltaic converter is a solar thermal converter whose engine is a solar cell. Once hot elements are accepted, several novel modalities of converters are described including thermophotonic converters, combined photovoltaic thermal converters and hot electron converters.