Concentrated thermoelectric generators convert solar energy to electricity, but historically their conversion efficiency has lagged behind their potential. Now, full system efficiencies of 7.4% are achieved by segmentation of two thermoelectric materials and a spectrally selective surface.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$119.00 per year
only $9.92 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References
McEnaney, K., Kraemer, D., Ren, Z. & Chen, G. J. Appl. Phys. 110, 074502 (2011).
Baranowski, L. L., Snyder, G. J. & Toberer, E. S. Energy Environ. Sci. 5, 9055–9067 (2012).
Snyder, G. J. & Toberer, E. S. Nat. Mater. 7, 105–114 (2008).
Telkes, M. J. Appl. Phys. 25, 765–777 (1954).
Kraemer D. et al. Nat. Mater. 10, 532–538 (2011).
Weinstein, L., Kraemer, D., McEnaney, K. & Chen, G. Solar Energy 108, 69–79, (2014).
Baranowski, L. L., Warren, E. L. & Toberer, E. S. J. Elect. Mater. 43, 2348–2355 (2014).
Kraemer, D. et al. Nat. Energy 1, 16153 (2016).
Renewables Watch (California ISO, 2016); http://go.nature.com/2d9fzov
California Energy Demand 2012–2022 Final Forecast (California Energy Commission, 2012).
Annual Report on Market Issues & Performance (California ISO, 2016).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Toberer, E. Solar thermoelectric generators: Pushing the efficiency up. Nat Energy 1, 16172 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.172
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.172