Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

Solar concentrator photovoltaic collectors are able to deliver energy at higher temperatures for the same irradiances, since they are related to smaller areas for which heat losses occur. However, to ensure the system reliability, adequate collector geometry and appropriate choice of the materials used in these systems will be crucial. The present work focuses on the re-design of the Concentrating Photovoltaic system (C-PV) collector reflector presently manufactured by the company Solarus, together with an analysis based on the annual assessment of the solar irradiance in the collector. An open-source ray tracing code (Soltrace) is used to accomplish the modelling of optical systems in concentrating solar power applications. Symmetric parabolic reflector configurations are seen to improve the PV system performance when compared to the conventional structures currently used by Solarus. The parabolic geometries, using either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed receivers inside the collector, accomplished both the performance and cost-effectiveness goals: for almost the same area or costs, the new proposals for the PV system may be in some cases 70% more effective as far as energy output is concerned.

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

“…Resorting to Equation ( 1 ), it is easy to see that incrementing affects the open-circuit voltage of the cell, which increases logarithmically by several factors. This boost in the will be more evident for a multi-junction cell, in which every subcell will contribute for the increase of with concentration, and thus rising the fill-factor of the overall cell [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. …”

“…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.…”

“…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.…”

Effects of the Heat Transfer Fluid Selection on the Efficiency of a Hybrid Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector

“…For the thermal installation, a pipe with a water flow of 0.5 m 3 /h was connected to one of the system sides, whereas the other half received the cooling fluid through a connecting thermal fitting. In relation to the electrical installation [7] the two sides were connected in series and the output current and voltage were measured using an ammeter and multimeter, respectively. The connection between the collector and the grid was done with a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), a device responsible for the desired MPP operation.…”

Performance of Solar Module with Presence of Two Types of Reflectors in Concentrator System

“…Torres et al focused on the redesign of CPV collector reflector which produces by the Swedish company together with detailed analysis based on the annual evaluation of the solar irradiance in the collector. An open source ray tracing cod (soltrace) is used to achieve the modeling the optical system in CPV applications [4 ]. Ronnelid et al considered the act of photovoltaic modules with V-trough booster reflectors with different length and tilts for Swedish conditions.…”