High-Temperature Solar Cells

High-temperature solar cells based on the exploitation of photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) mechanism are under development at ISM.
The advantages of the PETE devices are connected to the capability to overcome the limitations of traditional solar cells (even the more advanced multiple junction ones) when operating in solar concentrating systems. The characteristics of PETE converters actually are: a better operation at increasing temperatures and a more efficient (>50%) use of the solar photons by exploiting, along with the direct photogeneration of charge carriers in a semiconducting absorber, all thermalization effects and IR absorption as useful heat sources for thermionic emission.
The cells developed by ISM include the black diamond technology as well as the innovative micrographitization of diamond, together with an advanced and original p-i-n structure.
More detailed information can be found at www.prometheus-energy.eu

Staff: A. Bellucci, M. Girolami, S. Orlando, R. Polini, V. Valentini, D.M. Trucchi