STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMIC FOUNDATION FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC AND PHOTOTHERMAL CONVERSION-III - APPLICATION TO HYBRID SOLAR CONVERTERS

This article considers different optimized applications of hybrid (i.e ., combined) solar converters (which are devices to generate simultane ously electrical power, mechanical power, and, possibly, thermal energ y). A theoretical model proposed recently by the authors is used. An i mproved model to evaluate upper bounds for the efficiency of photovolt aic converters is elaborated. Irs predictions sire used to discuss the performance of hybrid converters. It follows that band gap materials are appropriate for these combined converters. (C) 1997 American Insti tute of Physics.