Hybrid Concentrated Solar Technologies (Heat and PV)
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The combination of solar thermal and concentrated photovoltaic power plants offers great potential for applications in remote areas or for industrial applications where thermal energy is utilized. In such systems, photovoltaic cells are exposed to concentrated solar radiation, and their temperature can exceed 200 °C. It is therefore essential that the solar cells used be able to “withstand” these temperatures; however, there are very few detailed studies on the behavior of PV cells above 100 °C, creating a significant research opportunity. In this project, we will study how materials change when exposed to temperature conditions representative of the operating temperatures of hybrid systems. More specifically, we will characterize the ohmic contacts and other materials used in the cells after annealing at temperatures above 200 °C. The results will highlight the limitations imposed on the materials currently integrated into high-efficiency solar cells.
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