Photothermoelectric cell for thermophotovoltaic systems and solar power plants with concentrators

We have attempted to justify the appropriateness of the photoelectric and thermoelectric (photothermoelectric) cells in the development of efficient thermophotovoltaic systems and facilities with photoelectric converters and concentrators of solar radiation. These cells are p-n structures based on narrow-band semiconductors capable of the simultaneous thermo- and photogeneration of electron-hole pairs under the effects of irradiation. We discuss the reduction of losses in the course energy conversion carried out with a photothermo-electric cell instead of separate thermo- and photoelectric cells. In addition, we describe the characteristic features and estimate the efficiency of photothermoelectric cells in the thermophotoelectric systems and facilities for the photoelectric conversion of the concentrated solar radiation. (author)