A solar co-generator for producing both heat energy and electricity is
disclosed. A solar concentrator directs sunlight into a container lined
with solar cells and filled with a thermal transfer fluid. The fluid is
transparent with respect to certain wavelengths of light that may be
converted to electricity by the solar cell, but is opaque with respect to
longer wavelengths, particular the infrared band. The infrared portion of
the sunlight heats the thermal transfer fluid, which then transfer that
heat through a storage facility using a heat exchange mechanism. The
thermal transfer fluid increases the efficiency of photovoltaic
generation by preventing heating of the solar cells due to infrared
radiation. The thermal transfer fluid may be a mixture containing barium
sulfate and a suspension of zinc sulfide phosphors. A fluorescing
anti-reflective coating may be applied to the solar cells to further
increase efficiency.