MODELIZATION OF A THERMO-PHOTO-VOLTAIC GENERATOR

In the last decade, Thermo–Photo–Voltaic (TPV) generator have gained an increasing attention as cogeneration system for the distributed generation sector. Nevertheless, these systems are not fully developed and studied: several aspects need to be further investigated and completely understood. One of the most important issue which need to be analyzed is related to the achievement of high values of efficiency regarding the conversion of the introduced fuel into electrical power. Several aspects affect the electrical efficiency of this generator; one of the most relevant is the maximization of the emitted radiant power. To achieve this goal, most of the realized prototype have been realized with large emitter surface and often by matching the combustor with the emitter; this approach, up to now, have not permitted to overcome few percentage points of electrical efficiency. To better understand this critical aspect a calculation model has been developed; more in details, in this paper a calculation code able to simulate the behavior of a TPV generator is presented; the paper shows the main physicalmathematical model which have been adopted in order to estimate the TPV performance by considering the influence of geometry, adopted materials, boundary condition, etc.