Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion

<p>Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion is a direct conversion process from heat to <a href="/facts/Electricity/hNC8D65W">electricity</a> via <a href="/facts/Photon/mFNhAEzA">photons</a>. A basic thermophotovoltaic system consists of a hot object emitting <a href="/facts/Thermal_radiation/1PD9jtCv">thermal radiation</a> and a <a href="/facts/Photovoltaic/5Xefaayl">photovoltaic</a> cell similar to a <a href="/facts/Solar_cell/3L814UCC">solar cell</a> but tuned to the <a href="/facts/Spectrum/wPUjkpqI">spectrum</a> being emitted from the hot object.
</p><p>As TPV systems generally work at lower temperatures than solar cells, their efficiencies tend to be low. Offsetting this through the use of multi-junction cells based on non-silicon materials is common, but generally very expensive. This currently limits TPV to niche roles like <a href="/facts/Spacecraft/YQqQaUw0">spacecraft</a> power and <a href="/facts/Waste_heat/nGBH1Vc8">waste heat</a> collection from larger systems like <a href="/facts/Steam_turbine/scacVXsB">steam turbines</a>.
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Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion open-in-new

Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion