A hybrid thermo-electric solar based system for energy efficiency in microgrids

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of energy management of thermal storage to boost the efficiency of Gallium Antimonide (GaSb) solar cells. The radiation from the sun is stored as thermal energy which serves as alternative energy source alongside the generated electrical energy using optical filters. The optical filter maximizes the fraction of photon energy that is converted to electrical energy through a good spectral control of the emitted radiations, as it is important to match its optical characteristics with the highest efficiency conversion factor of a PV cell for maximum output. The optical filter consists of 10 layers of Si and SiO2 alternated. In this microgrid solution, the thermal storage meets heating demand and increases the efficiency of solar conversion for remote communities.