The present disclosure provides a photovoltaic-photothermal reaction complementary full-spectrum solar utilization system, comprising: a waveband thermal reactor having a reactant flow channel and a reaction chamber therein, a photovoltaic cell attached to a surface of the waveband thermal reactor, and a full spectrum concentrator configured to concentrate full spectrum sunlight onto a surface of the photovoltaic cell, wherein the full spectrum concentrating device concentrates the full spectrum sunlight onto a upper surface of the opaque or transmissive photovoltaic cell, wherein a portion of the sunlight is converted into electric energy and another portion of the sunlight is converted into thermal energy, and wherein the thermal energy is utilized by the waveband thermal reactor to preheat reactant(s) in the reaction chamber and to make a portion of the reactant(s) to undergo an endothermic chemical reaction such that the thermal energy is stored as chemical energy.

A nonreciprocal Solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system includes an absorber configured to absorb broad-spectrum solar radiation and generate heat an intermediate emitter, and a single-junction photovoltaic cell configured to convert solar radiation to electrical energy. The intermediate emitter includes nonreciprocal radiative properties. The nonreciprocal radiative properties include absorbing light from the front side but only emitting light to the backside.

A nonreciprocal Solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system includes an absorber configured to absorb broad-spectrum solar radiation and generate heat an intermediate emitter, and a single-junction photovoltaic cell configured to convert solar radiation to electrical energy. The intermediate emitter includes nonreciprocal radiative properties. The nonreciprocal radiative properties include absorbing light from the front side but only emitting light to the backside.

The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a first junction constructed with a first alloy and having a bandgap between about 1.0 eV and about 1.5 eV, and a second junction constructed with a second alloy and having a bandgap between about 0.9 eV and about 1.3 eV, where the first alloy includes III-V elements, the second alloy includes III-V elements, and the PV device is configured to operate in a thermophotovoltaic system having an operating temperature between about 1500° C. and about 3000° C.

The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic (PV) device that includes a first junction constructed with a first alloy and having a bandgap between about 1.0 eV and about 1.5 eV, and a second junction constructed with a second alloy and having a bandgap between about 0.9 eV and about 1.3 eV, where the first alloy includes III-V elements, the second alloy includes III-V elements, and the PV device is configured to operate in a thermophotovoltaic system having an operating temperature between about 1500° C. and about 3000° C.

A radiant energy spectrum converter apparatus comprising: a first ellipsoid and a second ellipsoid overlapping the first ellipsoid to form an internal cavity, the first ellipsoid comprising a first upper half and a first lower half and the second ellipsoid comprising a second upper half and a second lower half; a port for permitting entry of incident radiation into the apparatus; a receiver for absorbing selected portions of the incident radiation and emitting secondary radiation; an internal cavity having a reflective surface for reflecting the secondary radiation such that the reflected secondary radiation from the first ellipsoid and the second ellipsoid converges on a first focal point; and wherein the receiver is located at the first focal point.

A radiant energy spectrum converter apparatus comprising: a first ellipsoid and a second ellipsoid overlapping the first ellipsoid to form an internal cavity, the first ellipsoid comprising a first upper half and a first lower half and the second ellipsoid comprising a second upper half and a second lower half; a port for permitting entry of incident radiation into the apparatus; a receiver for absorbing selected portions of the incident radiation and emitting secondary radiation; an internal cavity having a reflective surface for reflecting the secondary radiation such that the reflected secondary radiation from the first ellipsoid and the second ellipsoid converges on a first focal point; and wherein the receiver is located at the first focal point.

A thermoelectric power generation system includes a solar panel array on a first side of a tower to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat and a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower. A plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower are interposed between the solar panel array and the panel. The plurality of thermoelectric elements converts conductive heat flow of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy. A conductive base supports the tower and to conduct heat away from the panel.

A thermoelectric power generation system includes a solar panel array on a first side of a tower to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat and a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower. A plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower are interposed between the solar panel array and the panel. The plurality of thermoelectric elements converts conductive heat flow of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy. A conductive base supports the tower and to conduct heat away from the panel.

A broad-spectrum solar energy system includes a photovoltaic system that includes photovoltaic cells configured to produce a DC voltage in response to visible and ultraviolet (UV) light. The photovoltaic cells can produce waste heat in producing the DC voltage. An inverter converts the DC voltage to a first AC voltage. A rectenna system coupled with the photovoltaic system includes a first antenna having a resonance at a first wavelength; and a second antenna having a resonance at a second wavelength. The first antenna and the second antenna can absorb energy at least in the infrared (IR) wavelength range and convert the energy to a second AC voltage. The first antenna and/or the second antenna can absorb the waste heat produced by the plurality of photovoltaic cells and convert the waste heat to the second AC voltage. Power is supplied from the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage.