Performance assessment of a system integrating a perovskite/Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 tandem solar cell and an elastocaloric cooler for power and cooling cogeneration

Sitao Zhang, Yuewu Huang and Zhen Lu

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 248, issue C

Abstract: In order to overcome the problem of heat produced during the functioning of the perovskite solar cell (PSC) and to further improve the energy conversion efficiency, an innovative full-spectrum solar integrated system is proposed, which integrates and synergizes the perovskite/Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) based tandem solar cell (TSC), the solar selective absorber (SSA) and the elastocaloric cooler (ECC). By exploiting the complementary bandgaps of PSC and CZTSSe solar cell, the system enhances photon absorption and decreases thermalization losses. Moreover, the ECC device utilizes the elastic thermal effect of shape memory alloys to capture and utilize waste heat, thus enabling full-spectrum solar energy utilization. Considering various irreversible losses, key performance indicators of subsystems and integrated systems are derived by combining theoretical modelling and numerical simulation. In addition, comprehensive parametric investigations are conducted. Findings from numerical computations demonstrate that the peak power output density and the energy efficiency of the integrated system are 262.41 W/m2 and 26.24 %, respectively, which is an improvement of 36.17 % compared to the TSC alone. The achievements of this novel system can provide insights into optimizing solar energy utilization and expanding the practical applications of TSC technology.

Keywords: Tandem solar cell; Elastocaloric cooler; Shape memory alloy; Waste heat recovery; Parametric study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:248:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125007529

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123090

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