A combined thermophotovoltaic-thermoelectric energy converter

•We describe a combined thermoelectric-thermophotovoltaic (TE-TPV) system for solar energy conversion.•We have developed a computer model to predict system efficiencies and power outputs.•The efficiency of the combined system can be greater than the efficiency of TE or TPV alone.•For all temperatures, the power output of the combined system is greater than that of either subsystem. The performance of a combined thermoelectric (TE) and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy converter was theoretically modeled. The thermal input power to the system is determined by the TPV input high temperature. However, TE converters operate at lower input temperatures. Therefore, a thermal conduction block must be used to reduce the high input temperature to the lower TE operating temperature. The TE portion of the system was analyzed using a one dimensional conduction model. A radiation transfer model was used for the TPV portion of the system. There are two significant results. First, the combined system has a larger efficiency than TE or TPV alone in a narrow temperature range. This temperature range lies between typical TE operating temperatures (≈600 K) and TPV operating temperatures (≈1200 K). Second, the electrical power output in this temperature range is significantly greater than TE or TPV alone.