R3A08: Icarus Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Plus Storage Cogeneration System

The Issue

In 2021, the US solar industry installed 23.6 GWdc of new solar capacity (Wood Mackenzie, 2021). Despite the explosive growth of grid-tied solar energy and installed capacity, the industry continues to face challenges over available energy storage options and photovoltaic (PV) technology. PV panels remain highly inefficient, converting less than 21% of the solar energy that strikes each panel into electricity. This efficiency is typically measured under standard design conditions at an ideal temperature of 25°C. In the field, panels heat up well beyond design temperature each day, often reaching 65–80°C. As panels heat up, their performance drops approximately 0.4–0.5%/°C; the panels produce less power. Thermal cycling causes fatigue which reduces panel life and lifetime performance. In addition to PV inefficiency, there is a mismatch between daily solar energy output and utility peak power demand periods. Consequently, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery storage is growing; however, Li-ion batteries bring other challenges. In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) predicted for 2030 that a middle-ground cost of a 4-hour Li-Ion system would be $198/kWh to install in addition to PV installation expenses (Wesley Cole, 2021). Furthermore, Li-Ion battery charging consumes PV output, reducing the economic return on the PV system. High costs and panel inefficiencies deter consumers from commitment to current solar plus storage technology.