An operating characteristics study on a small-scale CPV-ORC power generating system in summer typical day

Abstract

This study concerns a hybrid CPV (Concentrator Photovoltaic) system coupled with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), which mainly contains CPV modules and cooling subsystem. The cooling fluid driven by pump is evaporated in tubes under the CPV modules. The superheated vapor of working fluid is generated for additional electric power generation with an ORC. Through the study of the impact of different parameters on the system, the efficiency of CPV-ORC combined system is compared with that of single CPV system. When the temperature of CPV cells increases, the combined system can effectively cooling the CPV and increase the additional energy generation.