A TPV system with silicon photocells and a selective emitter

We have realised and investigated a thermophotovoltaic generator which uses silicon photocells and an Yb₂O₃ selective emitter. Theoretical calculations show that in principle an electrical output power of several hundred watts can be achieved with such a system using 20 kW thermal input power. We have built a small TPV system base on a camping gas lamp which reached an efficiency of 1.9% and an electrical output power of 25 W. Commercial silicon solar cells which are water cooled are used in this system. The efficiency improvements when using a TCO filter instead of the water filter and optimised silicon photocells are discussed. We show measurements of the optical properties of an optimised ZnO filter and the electrical characteristics of PSI high efficiency photocells. To demonstrate the use of the TPV in a residential heating system, a TPV demonstration system with a thermal input power of 20 kW and 161 W electrical output power was developed