Operation and component testing of a solar thermophotovoltaic power system

Components of a solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) power system have been developed and tested. This paper describes the principle of operation of a STPV system, the conceptual design of the TPV conversion unit, and some of the operating features which make it attractive for both space and terrestrial application. McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA) conducted over 600 hrs. Of on-sun tests and reached temperatures above 1573 K during these tests. Essential Research has developed and tested selective emitter and blackbody-based TPV converters with efficiencies approaching 30%. Analytical models developed by MDA and Essential Research were validated by test data and used to develop a conceptual design and to estimate the system performance. These models indicate the efficiency of a STPV power conversion system to be greater than 20% using current state-of-the-art technology and could increase to above 35% using advance technology.