On-Sun test results of McDonnell Douglas´ prototype solar thermophotovoltaic power system

Author

Stone, K.W. ; Leingang, E.F. ; Kusek, S.M. ; Drubka, R.E. ; Fay, T.D.

Author_Institution

McDonnell Douglas Electron. Syst. Co., Huntington Beach, CA, USA

Volume

2

fYear

1994

fDate

5-9 Dec 1994

Firstpage

2010

Abstract

A solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) power system has many attractive attributes for both space and terrestrial applications including high efficiency, high reliability, low mass, low operating costs, solar/gas hybrid operation and thermal storage capability for dispatchability. This paper describes the basic components and operation of a STPV system. It also presents the results of on-Sun testing with a testbed prototype at operating temperatures of 1350°C. The design and expected performance of the next generation testbed prototype is discussed. System analysis based upon the test data indicates that power performance in the 23% to 32% range can be achieved with a STPV power conversion system using existing technology

Keywords

aerospace testing; photovoltaic cells; photovoltaic power systems; semiconductor device testing; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; 1350 C; 23 to 32 percent; applications; mass; on-Sun test results; operating costs; performance; reliability; solar thermophotovoltaic power system; space power; thermal storage capability; Aerospace testing; Hybrid power systems; Photovoltaic cells; Power system analysis computing; Power system reliability; Power systems; Prototypes; Space technology; System testing; Temperature;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 1994., Conference Record of the Twenty Fourth. IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 1994, 1994 IEEE First World Conference on

Conference_Location

Waikoloa, HI

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1460-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/WCPEC.1994.520763

Filename

520763