Performance characteristics of a combination solar photovoltaic heat engine energy converterA combination solar photovoltaic heat engine converter is proposed. Such a system is suitable for either terrestrial or space power applications. The combination system has a higher efficiency than either the photovoltaic array or the heat engine alone can attain. Advantages in concentrator and radiator area and receiver mass of the photovoltaic heat engine system over a heat-engine-only system are estimated. A mass and area comparison between the proposed space station organic Rankine power system and a combination PV-heat engine system is made. The critical problem for the proposed converter is the necessity for high temperature photovoltaic array operation. Estimates of the required photovoltaic temperature are presented.
Document ID
19880024586
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chubb, Donald L. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)