The Use of Simulation for the Design and Analysis of Thermophotovoltaic Networks

Abstract

Simulation has provided valuable quantification of the fundamental behavior of thermophotovoltaic cell networks. The results of simulation studies have supported the design and fabrication of small-scale demonstration networks and are expected to guide assembly of large-scale systems. This paper describes the methodology and software simulator developed to address issues in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) networking, including failure analysis, electrical network design, and nonuniform illumination. Results from simulation studies are given illustrating their application to the design and fabrication of small-scale TPV arrays.