Cell string layout in solar photovoltaic collectors

Fernandes, Carlos A. F.; Torres, João Paulo N.; Branco, P. J. Costa; Fernandes, João; Gomes, João

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2017.04.060

Cited by 26 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To minimum the effect of shading in MaReCo systems, Fernandes et al proposed incorporating overlapped bypass diodes in solar module configurations. Simulation results showed that the short‐circuit current increased by 100%.…”

Section: Studies In the Literature On The Application Of Cpcs To Photmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Paul

2019

Int J Energy Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary The use of concentrating systems has been proposed as a way to reduce the cost of electrical energy from photovoltaic (PV) module. Since 1970s, different solar collector designs have been used to increase energy flux on the PV module. This study aims at providing a comprehensive review of development in the application of compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs) to solar photovoltaic conversion for the past five decades. By narrowing down the application of CPCs to electrical energy only gives a reader an opportunity to clearly understand the detail development stages, challenges, and research opportunities for further improvement. From this review, it has been found that during 1970s, all studies on the application of CPCs to solar photovoltaic conversion were mainly focused on establishing technical feasibility and cost effectiveness. Thereafter (1981‐May 2018), extensive studies were carried out to resolve challenges that were observed during the establishment stage. However, it has been found that even though the power output of the PV modules with the CPC was always higher than similar modules without the CPC, the values were less than the expected (theoretical) results. This was due to optical losses, series resistance losses, non‐uniform illumination effect, and high operating cell temperature effect. In addition, high cost of the PV‐CPC systems and low concentration ratio of the CPCs were also the main concerns of various researchers.

show abstract

Section: Studies In the Literature On The Application Of Cpcs To Photmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Paul

2019

Int J Energy Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The constant search for new energetic solutions to face the ever-demanding world’s energy consumption has been one of the main focus amongst researchers in the twenty-first century. At the time this article is being written, a good and affordable alternative seems to be found in the use of renewable energies [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Even though the world is not yet prepared to switch completely to renewable sources, the installed capacity of these sources is increasing day by day, with the global renewable generation power already surpassing 2300 gigawatts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the years to come, PV has the capacity of becoming one of the major energy sources in the world—as the price of fossil fuels continuously rises [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], the cost of solar PV has been substantially decreasing over the last two decades, with its LCOE (Levelized Cost Of Energy) being estimated to be within the range of 0.03 to 0.10 $/kWh by 2020–2022 [ 2 , 3 , 20 ]. This prophetizes a solid future for the PV industry, especially if it is supported by the decrease in battery prices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization and Design of Photovoltaic Solar Cells That Absorb Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared Light

Bernardes¹,

Lameirinhas

Torres

et al. 2021

Nanomaterials

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The world is witnessing a tide of change in the photovoltaic industry like never before; we are far from the solar cells of ten years ago that only had 15–18% efficiency. More and more, multi-junction technologies seem to be the future for photovoltaics, with these technologies already hitting the mark of 30% under 1-sun. This work focuses especially on a state-of-the-art triple-junction solar cell, the GaInP/GaInAs/Ge lattice-matched, that is currently being used in most satellites and concentrator photovoltaic systems. The three subcells are first analyzed individually and then the whole cell is put together and simulated. The typical figures-of-merit are extracted; all the I−V curves obtained are presented, along with the external quantum efficiencies. A study on how temperature affects the cell was done, given its relevance when talking about space applications. An overall optimization of the cell is also elaborated; the cell’s thickness and doping are changed so that maximum efficiency can be reached. For a better understanding of how varying both these properties affect efficiency, graphic 3D plots were computed based on the obtained results. Considering this optimization, an improvement of 0.2343% on the cell’s efficiency is obtained.

show abstract

“…Parretta et al [36] used a prismatic optical mixer at the exit aperture of a 3D CPC and found that with a properly dimensioned prismatic optical mixer, light was uniformly distributed on the solar cell. The use of bypass diode is also another technique that has been used to improve the performance of the PV module under nonuniform illumination as discussed by Fernandes et al [37]. The design of special PV cells is another technique that has been used to eliminate the effect of nonuniform illumination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Characterisation of Photovoltaic Modules with Cells Connected in Different Configurations to Address Nonuniform Illumination Effect

Paul

2019

Journal of Renewable Energy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Most concentrating systems that are being used for photovoltaic (PV) applications do not illuminate the PV module uniformly which results in power output reduction. This study investigated the electrical performance of three PV modules with cells connected in different configurations to address nonuniform illumination effect. PV module 1 is the standard module consisting of 11 solar cells connected in series whereas PV module 2 is a proposed design with 11 cells in three groups and each group consists of different cells in series connections. PV module 3 is also a new design with 11 cells in two groups and each group consists of different cells connected in series. The new PV modules were designed in such a way that the effect of nonuniform illumination should affect a group of cells but not the entire PV module, leading to high power output. The PV modules were tested under three different intensities: uniform, low nonuniform, and high nonuniform illumination. When the PV modules were tested at uniform illumination, the total maximum power output of PV module 1 was higher than that of PV module 2 and PV module 3 by about 7%. However, when the PV modules were tested at low nonuniform illumination, the total maximum power output of PV module 2 was higher than that of PV module 1 and PV module 3 by about 4% and 7%, respectively. This difference increased to about 12% for PV module 3 and 17% for PV module 1 when the modules were tested at high nonuniform illumination. Therefore, the best PV module design in addressing nonuniform illumination effect in solar collectors is PV module 2. In practical situation this implies that manufacturers of PV modules should consider designing modules with groups of cells in series connection instead of all cells being connected in series.

show abstract

Cell string layout in solar photovoltaic collectors

Cited by 26 publications

References 35 publications

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Characterization and Design of Photovoltaic Solar Cells That Absorb Ultraviolet, Visible and Infrared Light

Experimental Characterisation of Photovoltaic Modules with Cells Connected in Different Configurations to Address Nonuniform Illumination Effect

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About