High-Performance Hybrid Solar Energy Converter

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

The hybrid solar energy converter features a solar module with glowing red cells. (Image: Matthew Escarra)

Researchers have developed a hybrid solar energy converter that generates electricity and steam with high efficiency and low cost.

Thermal energy consumption is a huge piece of the global energy economy — much larger than electricity use. There has been a rising interest in solar combined heat and power systems to deliver both electricity and process heat for zero-net-energy and greenhouse-gas-free development.

The hybrid converter utilizes an approach that more fully captures the whole spectrum of sunlight. It generates electricity from high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells that also redirect infrared rays of sunlight to a thermal receiver that converts those rays to thermal energy. The thermal energy can be stored until needed and used to provide heat for a wide range of commercial and industrial uses such as food processing, chemical production, water treatment, or enhanced oil recovery.

The team reports that the system demonstrated 85.1 percent efficiency, delivered steam at up to 248 °C, and is projected to have a system levelized cost of 3 cents per kilowatt hour.

For more information, contact Barri Bronston at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 504-352-2534.