Hybrid Solar Converter with Light-Filtering Mirror

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Program:
FOCUS
Award:
$1,003,329
Location:
Mountain View, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
07/10/2014 - 07/09/2016

Technology Description:

Cogenra Solar is developing a hybrid solar converter with a specialized light-filtering mirror that splits sunlight by wavelength, allowing part of the sunlight spectrum to be converted directly to electricity with photovoltaics (PV), while the rest is captured and stored as heat. By integrating a light-filtering mirror that passes the visible part of the spectrum to a PV cell, the system captures and converts as much as possible of the photons into high-value electricity and concentrates the remaining light onto a thermal fluid, which can be stored and be used as needed. Cogenra’s hybrid solar energy system also captures waste heat from the solar cells, providing an additional source of low-temperature heat. This hybrid converter could make more efficient use of the full solar spectrum and can provide inexpensive solar power on demand.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Cogenra’s hybrid solar energy converter can utilize the full solar spectrum more efficiently than today’s PV and CSP systems could independently.

Security:

Developing new hybrid solar systems that produce electricity and heat could facilitate the dispatch of domestically-sourced power at costs comparable to traditional sources, whether the sun is shining or not.

Environment:

Replacing energy systems powered by fossil fuels would provide an immediate decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, 40% of which come from electricity generation today.

Economy:

Cost-effective, dispatchable solar energy alternatives would stabilize electricity rates for consumers as the penetration of renewable energy increases in the coming years.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Eric Schiff
Project Contact:
Mr. Ratson Morad
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
ratson.morad@cogenra.com

Partners

AmberWave

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Release Date:
07/16/2013