Passive cooling of solar cells with a comprehensive photonic approach

Wei Li, Yu Shi, Kaifeng Chen, Linxiao Zhu, Shanhui Fan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a comprehensive photonic approach for passive cooling of solar cells by simultaneously performing radiative cooling while also selectively utilizing the sunlight. We design a photonic cooler made of multilayer dielectric stack that can strongly radiate heat through its thermal radiation while also significantly reflecting the solar spectrum in sub-band gap and ultraviolet regime. We show that applying this photonic cooler on solar panel can cool the solar cell by over 5.6K in a typical terrestrial operating condition. Our technique points to an optimal photonic approach for passive cooling of solar cells and can be readily implemented as a retrofit for current photovoltaic modules to improve both efficiency and reliability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2017 IEEE 60th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, MWSCAS 2017
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages847-850
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781509063895
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 27 2017
Event60th IEEE International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, MWSCAS 2017 - Boston, United States
Duration: Aug 6 2017Aug 9 2017

Publication series

NameMidwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems
Volume2017-August
ISSN (Print)1548-3746

Other

Other60th IEEE International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems, MWSCAS 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period8/6/178/9/17

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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