Thermodynamic analysis of novel solar photovoltaic-thermophotovoltaic complementary conversion method based on multi-stage concentrating and spectrum splitting

Abstract

Achieving both a low operating temperature for photovoltaic (PV) and a high heat collection temperature for photothermal (PT) conversion in full-spectrum solar energy utilization is challenging with traditional spectrum-splitting methods. Therefore, this study focuses on the full-spectrum solar utilization and proposes a novel multi-stage concentrating and spectrum-splitting coupling approach for complementary photovoltaic-thermophotovoltaic (PV-TPV) conversion. Multi-stage thermophysical models are developed based on thermodynamic analysis, Shockley-Queisser model coupling, and external quantum efficiency model coupling, incorporating cell combinations with different bandgaps and temperature coefficients, enabling performance analysis from idealized scenarios to realistic conditions. A single-stage spectrum splitting PV-TPV system is optimized as a baseline, and the impact of multi-stage spectrum coupling on system performance is investigated. Results show that low-bandgap cells with higher temperature coefficients can achieve superior performance at lower concentration ratios compared with high-bandgap cells at higher concentration ratios. Considering the practical external quantum efficiency (EQE) model, low-bandgap cells demonstrate additional advantages, achieving a maximum system efficiency of 41.82% at C₁ = 500 and C₂ = 300. The multi-stage spectrum-splitting design allows decoupling of the spectrum and concentration ratio, effectively reducing the system concentration ratio by more than 50% while maintaining high system performance. This not only facilitates device design and practical implementation but also enhances theoretical efficiency, demonstrating significant application potential. The study provides valuable insights for the development of full-spectrum PV-TPV conversion methods.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Solar full-spectrum conversion / Thermophotovoltaics / Multi-stage concentrating-spectrum splitting / Photovoltaic / Thermodynamic analysis

References

[1] Kannan N , Vakeesan D . Solar energy for future world: A review. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 62: 1092–1105

[2] Allouhi A S , Rehman S , Buker M S . et al. Recent technical approaches for improving energy efficiency and sustainability of PV and PV-T systems: A comprehensive review. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2023, 56: 103026

[3] Petela R . Engineering Thermodynamics of Thermal Radiation: for Solar Power Utilization. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010,

[4] Hirst L C , Ekins-Daukes N J . Fundamental losses in solar cells. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2011, 19(3): 286–293

[5] LaPotin A , Schulte K L , Steiner M A . et al. Thermophotovoltaic efficiency of 40%. Nature, 2022, 604(7905): 287–291

[6] Shan S , Tian J , Chen B . et al. Comparison between spectrum-split conversion and thermophotovoltaic for solar energy utilization: Thermodynamic limitation and parametric analysis. Energy Conversion and Management, 2022, 255: 115331

[7] Datas A , Martí A . Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future potential. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2017, 161: 285–296

[8] Shan S , Zhang Q , Chen B . et al. Effect evaluation of micro/nano structured materials on the performance of solar thermophotovoltaic system: An analysis based on measurement data. Solar Energy, 2022, 231: 1037–1047

[9] Shan S , Chen C , Loutzenhiser P . et al. Spectral emittance measurements of micro/nanostructures in energy conversion: A review. Frontiers in Energy, 2020, 14(3): 482–509

[10] Datas A . Bifacial thermophotovoltaic energy conversion. ACS Photonics, 2023, 10(3): 683–690

[11] Tian J , Shan S , Chen B . et al. Performance analysis and selective emitter design for an efficient concentrated solar thermophotovoltaic system based on cavity-structured absorber and high-bandgap cell. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 2023, 40: 101767

[12] Talebzadeh N , Homaei S , O’Brien P G . Optimizing thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems through photon fate analysis: An experimental case study based on ellipsoidal optical cavities. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2025, 288: 113634

[13] Yi F , Xu J M , Wang B X . et al. Towards-standardization energy conversion efficiency measuring system for thermophotovoltaic cells. Applied Energy, 2025, 377: 124657

[14] Tervo E J , France R M , Friedman D J . et al. Efficient and scalable GaInAs thermophotovoltaic devices. Joule, 2022, 6(11): 2566–2584

[15] Roy-Layinde B , Lim J , Arneson C . et al. High-efficiency air-bridge thermophotovoltaic cells. Joule, 2024, 8(7): 2135–2145

[16] Yi F , Jin S , Wang B . et al. Efficient and scalable thermal radiation management for large-scale thermophotovoltaic applications. Nano Letters, 2025, 25(30): 11570–11577

[17] Cai T , Xu Z , Yi Y . et al. Advancing thermal radiation efficiency with hybrid-patterned metasurface emitters in thermophotovoltaic systems. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 2025, 213: 109790

[18] Qiu Y , Zhang P , Li Q . et al. A perfect selective metamaterial absorber for high-temperature solar energy harvesting. Solar Energy, 2021, 230: 1165–1174

[19] Xu M , Guo L , Zhang P . et al. Near-perfect spectrally-selective metasurface solar absorber based on tungsten octagonal prism array. RSC Advances, 2022, 12(26): 16823–16834

[20] Shi X , Ren Z , Niu S . et al. Highly Efficient ultra-thin solar selective absorber based on self-assembled tangent Nano-Ball-Cap arrays. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, 505: 159459

[21] Sun C , Liu H , Yang B . et al. An ultra-broadband and wide-angle absorber based on a TiN metamaterial for solar harvesting. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2022, 25(1): 806–812

[22] Meng C , Liu P , Xu Z . et al. Selective emitter with core–shell nanosphere structure for thermophotovoltaic systems. Energy, 2022, 239: 121884

[23] Chirumamilla M , Krishnamurthy G V , Häntsch Y . et al. 2D photonic crystal emitter at 1400 °C for thermophotovoltaic energy harvesting. Cell Reports. Physical Science, 2025, 6(10): 102850

[24] Ma W , Liu Z , Kudyshev Z A . et al. Deep learning for the design of photonic structures. Nature Photonics, 2021, 15(2): 77–90

[25] Zhang W , Wang B , Zhao C . Selective thermophotovoltaic emitter with aperiodic multilayer structures designed by machine learning. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2021, 4(2): 2004–2013

[26] Shan S , Zhou Z , Zhang Y . Fundamentals of Thermal Radiation in Fuel Combustion for Energy Utilization. Cham: Springer, 2025,

[27] Shan S , Zhou Z . Second law analysis of spectral radiative transfer and calculation in one-dimensional furnace cases. Entropy, 2019, 21(5): 461

[28] Jackson E D . Areas for improvement of the semiconductor solar energy converter. In: Transactions of the Conference on the Use of Solar Energy. Tuscan: University of Arizona Press, 1955,

[29] Russo J M , Zhang D , Gordon M . et al. Spectrum splitting metrics and effect of filter characteristics on photovoltaic system performance. Optics Express, 2014, 22(S2): A528–A541

[30] Wu H , Shan S , Zhou Z . Performance analysis of a novel solar radiation cascade conversion system for combined heat and power generation based on spectrum splitting and reshaping. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2023, 15(3): 033701

[31] Lu K , Yu Q , Zhao B . et al. Performance analysis of a novel PV/T hybrid system based on spectral beam splitting. Renewable Energy, 2023, 207: 398–406

[32] Yin E , Li Q . High-efficiency dynamic lossless coupling of a spectrum splitting photovoltaic thermoelectric system. Energy, 2023, 282: 128294

[33] Wu H , Shan S , Tian J . et al. Thermodynamic theorical and parametric analysis of a photovoltaic-photo/thermochemistry synergistic conversion system with full spectrum cascading utilization. Energy Conversion and Management, 2024, 314: 118701

[34] Tang S , Xing X , Yu W . et al. Synergizing photo-thermal H₂ and photovoltaics into a concentrated sunlight use. iScience, 2020, 23(4): 101012

[35] Herrando M , Wang K , Huang G . et al. A review of solar hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) collectors and systems. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2023, 97: 101072

[36] Wu H , Zhou Z , Shan S . Optimal design principle of a cascading solar photovoltaic system with concentrating spectrum splitting and reshaping. Renewable Energy, 2022, 197: 197–210

[37] Tian J , Shan S , Chen B . et al. Parametrical analysis of a novel solar cascade photovoltaic system via full-spectrum splitting and residual-spectrum reshaping. Solar Energy, 2022, 243: 120–133

[38] Zhang S , Zhong F , Lin Z . et al. Spectrum-selective high-temperature tolerant thermal emitter by dual-coherence enhanced absorption for solar thermophotovoltaics. Advanced Optical Materials, 2024, 12(5): 2301726

[39] Tian J , Zhang G , Wu H . et al. A novel solar spectrum splitting PV-CPT hybrid conversion system based on linear Fresnel filter-concentrator structure: Experimental device and application analysis. Applied Energy, 2025, 396: 126300

[40] Landsberg P T , Tonge G . Thermodynamic energy conversion efficiencies. Journal of Applied Physics, 1980, 51(7): R1–R20

[41] Pusch A , Gordon M J , Mellor A . et al. Fundamental efficiency bounds for the conversion of a radiative heat engine’s own emission into work. Physical Review Applied, 2019, 12(6): 064018

[42] Shockley W , Queisser H J . Detailed balance limit of efficiency of p-n junction solar cells. Journal of Applied Physics, 1961, 32(3): 510–519

[43] Zhang C , Wang N , Xu H . et al. Development of a fully coupled concentrator-spectral splitter-thermal-electrical model with evaluation of electrical uniformity for full-spectrum photovoltaic/thermal systems. Energy, 2024, 313: 134106

[44] Miao Y , Zhang T , Xu X . et al. A comprehensive review on advanced microchannel cooling technologies: Two-phase thermal management and machine learning applications. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2025, 279: 127697

[45] Ferrari C , Melino F , Bosi M . The critical role of emitter size in thermo-photovoltaic generators. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2013, 113: 20–25

[46] Mattos L S , Scully S R , Syfu M . et al. New module efficiency record: 23.5% under 1-sun illumination using thin-film single-junction GaAs solar cells. In: IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists ConferenceAustin, TX, USA, 2012,

[47] Siefer G , Bett W A . Analysis of temperature coefficients for III–V multi-junction concentrator cells. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2014, 22(5): 515–524

[48] Zhang C , Liao Z , Tang L . et al. A comparatively experimental study on the temperature-dependent performance of thermophotovoltaic cells. Applied Physics Letters, 2019, 114(19): 193902

[49] Radziemska E . Thermal performance of Si and GaAs based solar cells and modules: A review. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 2003, 29(5): 407–424

[50] Silverman T J , Deceglie M G , Marion B . et al. Outdoor performance of a thin-film gallium-arsenide photovoltaic module. In: IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Tampa, FL, USA, 2013,

[51] Shan S , Zhou Z , Wang Z . et al. New oxy-fuel cascade thermo-photovoltaic energy conversion system: Effect of cascade design and oxygen ratio. Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 196: 1208–1221

[52] Ferrari C , Melino F , Pinelli M . et al. Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion: Analytical aspects, prototypes and experiences. Applied Energy, 2014, 113: 1717–1730

[53] Fang J , Yang M , Fan Y . et al. Thermodynamic evaluation of a combined cooling, heating, hydrogen, and power multi-generation system for full-spectrum solar energy utilization. Energy Conversion and Management, 2024, 300: 118019

[54] Xing X , Sun F , Qu W . et al. Numerical simulation and experimental study of a novel hybrid system coupling photovoltaic and solar fuel for electricity generation. Energy Conversion and Management, 2022, 255: 115316

[55] Liew N J , Yu Z J , Holman Z . et al. Application of spectral beam splitting using Wavelength-Selective filters for Photovoltaic/Concentrated solar power hybrid plants. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2022, 201: 117823

[56] Raush J R , Chambers T L . Initial field testing of concentrating solar photovoltaic (CSPV) thermal hybrid solar energy generator utilizing large aperture parabolic trough and spectrum selective mirrors. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 2014, 3: 123–131

[57] Green M A , Dunlop E D , Yoshita M . et al. Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 64). Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2024, 32(7): 425–441

[58] Du H , Xia L , Wei G . et al. Study on a novel solar spectral beam splitting photovoltaic/thermal system based on secondary reflection. Energy, 2025, 319: 134837

[59] Liang H , Han H , Wang F . et al. Experimental investigation on spectral splitting of photovoltaic/thermal hybrid system with two-axis sun tracking based on SiO₂/TiO₂ interference thin film. Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 188: 230–240

[60] Crisostomo F , Taylor R A , Zhang T . et al. Experimental testing of SiN_x/SiO₂ thin film filters for a concentrating solar hybrid PV/T collector. Renewable Energy, 2014, 72: 79–87

[61] Hu D , Liu D , Zhang J . et al. Preparation and stability study of broadband anti-reflection coatings and application research for CdTe solar cell. Optical Materials, 2018, 77: 132–139

[62] Zhang K , Hao L , Du M . et al. A review on thermal stability and high temperature induced ageing mechanisms of solar absorber coatings. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 67: 1282–1299

[63] Yang B , Zou Y , Zhou K . et al. TiN-based metasurface absorber for efficient solar energy harvesting. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 2023, 192: 108428

[64] Hosseini S , Torres J F , Taheri M . et al. Effect of thickness and temperature on the thermal emittance of solar absorber coatings at room and high temperatures. Solar Energy, 2024, 278: 112745

[65] Qu W , Li H , Zhou Z . et al. Electricity price-driven design and analysis of thermophotovoltaic energy storage systems. Energy Conversion and Management, 2026, 348: 120739

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press