Direct Solar/Thermal to Electrical Energy Conversion Technologies

Three people walk between huge mirrored troughs, pointed straight upwards, extending for thousands of feet beyond in all directions.

The solar field in Kramer Junction, CA, uses parabolic troughs to concentrate solar thermal power. (Photo by Sandia National Laboratory.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

2.997

As Taught In

Fall 2009

Level

Graduate

Cite This Course

Course Description

Course Features

Course Description

This course introduces principles and technologies for converting heat into electricity via solid-state devices. The first part of the course discusses thermoelectric energy conversion and thermoelectric materials, thermionic energy conversion, and photovoltaics. The second part of the course discusses solar thermal technologies. Various solar heat collection systems will be reviewed, followed by an introduction to the principles of solar thermophotovoltaics and solar thermoelectrics. Spectral control techniques, which are critical for solar thermal systems, will be discussed.

Related Content

Gang Chen. 2.997 Direct Solar/Thermal to Electrical Energy Conversion Technologies. Fall 2009. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.


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