Computer analysis of resistance and non-uniform illumination effects on concentrator solar cells

There is a continuous race for improving efficiency of photovoltaic systems through strategies like optical concentration and sun tracking, even with the constant decline in photovoltaic panels prices. For such complex systems, simulation is a mandatory design tool even though few simulators are available on the market for the two methods mentioned above. This work aims to outline an algorithm and simulation models for every computation step of a simulator for sun tracking and low concentration applied to commercial photovoltaic panels and flat mirrors, prioritizing short development cycle and low computational effort. As a proof of concept a simulator has been implemented presenting encouraging results.

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“…The solar cell may be modeled by an equivalent electronic circuit [3]. A lumped circuit model is depicted in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 3D photovoltaic simulation tool for low concentration and sun tracking

Miranda

Guimaraes

Lima

2014

2014 International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA)

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“…C ONCENTRATION photovoltaic (CPV) systems generally exhibit a nonuniform illumination profile along the solar cells they integrate [1]- [4]. The light distribution in such profiles is defined by the design of the concentrator optics and is influenced by structure, optics, and tracking misalignments, which possibly occur during manufacturing/mounting processes or even during its lifetime [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The light-generated current corresponds to the total light and passes through the total series resistance of the cell [1]. This traditional model overestimates the power losses on the cell under nonuniform illumination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This traditional model overestimates the power losses on the cell under nonuniform illumination. For an accurate estimation of the CPV solar cells output in these conditions, it is thus crucial that the solar cell model takes into account the "distributed diode effect" [1], [4]. In this distributed model, the cell is divided into small units whose electric circuit lies on a diode in parallel with a shunt resistor, as well as a series resistor component, which depends on the region of the cell where the unit is located [1], [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous works [1]- [4], [6]- [9], [11], [12], [14] have been performed to better understand the effect of inhomogeneous illumination and temperature on the solar cell's performance. Some authors have explored this issue only through experimental work [8], [9], [11], [12], while others have developed solar cell distributed models and even validated them, but only by addressing the effects of illumination inhomogeneity [1]- [4], [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Modeling the Effects of Inhomogeneous Irradiation and Temperature Profile on CPV Solar Cell Behavior

Reis

Guerreiro

Batista

et al. 2015

IEEE J. Photovoltaics

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Solar cells that integrate concentration photovoltaic systems are usually exposed to inhomogeneous illumination and temperature profiles which influence their performance. Under such conditions, the solar cell behavior is only accurately modeled if the diode and resistive losses are considered to be distributed across the solar cell instead of being gathered, as in the conventional lumped model. This paper presents a distributed diode model and its experimental validation, which was carried out for standard test conditions and a range of temperature and concentration levels going from 25 to 70°C and 1 to 30 suns, respectively, for both homogeneous and a set of inhomogeneous profiles. Modeled and experimental results showed good agreement, thus validating the model. The results of traditional and distributed model approaches are compared with homogeneous and inhomogeneous profiles of irradiation and temperature. Finally, we analyze the effect of different profiles on cell performance.Index Terms-Concentration photovoltaic (CPV), nonuniform illumination, nonuniform temperature, PV solar cell model.

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Numerical modeling of loss mechanisms resulting from non‐uniform illumination in multijunction concentrator solar cells

Haas

Wilcox

Gray

et al. 2013

Int J Numerical Modelling

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Quasi‐3D distributed emitter models utilizing a unit cell‐based methodology have been successfully applied to the analysis of lateral current flow in solar cell emitter layers. However, the analysis of the specific loss mechanisms resulting from this flow has not been given adequate attention. In this work, a quasi‐3D model for the simulation of effects related to the lateral flow of current in a solar cell emitter layer, particularly under non‐uniform illumination, is developed. The model is applied to a specific case in which a GaInP/GaAs‐like two‐terminal solar cell is illuminated with a Lorentzian irradiance pattern, which is the expected pattern for parabolic trough concentrator. It is shown that bias‐point loss, which results from the variation in the local operating condition of the cell, is significant under highly non‐uniform illumination at low–moderate optical concentration. Understanding this loss mechanism is useful in considering trade‐offs related to the design of the optical concentrator system, as well as, the design of a grid electrode pattern for maximum power output. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Computer analysis of resistance and non-uniform illumination effects on concentrator solar cells

Cited by 10 publications

References 5 publications

A 3D photovoltaic simulation tool for low concentration and sun tracking

A 3D photovoltaic simulation tool for low concentration and sun tracking

Modeling the Effects of Inhomogeneous Irradiation and Temperature Profile on CPV Solar Cell Behavior

Numerical modeling of loss mechanisms resulting from non‐uniform illumination in multijunction concentrator solar cells

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