Experimental Comparison between Spherical and Refractive Optics in a Concentrating Photovoltaic System

Renno, Carlo

doi:10.3390/en14154603

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

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“…A CPV system presents an optics system that allows the sunlight to focus on receiver to maximize the incident solar radiation. The receiver, where the photovoltaic cells are located, can assume different configurations [4] according to optics adopted. The optics is generally conventional and economical, and is made up of lenses or mirrors or both [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CPV System Optical Performance Evaluation by Means of Direct Experimental Measurement Procedure

Renno,

Petito

2024

Energies

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The optics is the component that most affects the concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system performance, depending above all on the concentration factor and optical efficiency. Hence, a basic aspect is the concentrated solar flux measure on the receiving area, the evaluation of which is principally realized by indirect measurement methods. First, a literature review on indirect and direct methods used for the evaluation of concentrated solar flux and optical parameters is presented in this paper. The experimental measurement procedure, which is able to evaluate the optical parameters and concentrated solar flux in CPV systems, is also presented. The main steps of this procedure are represented by experimental system setup, sensor selection for concentrated solar flux estimation, identification of all the factors affecting optical performances, and development of an experimental campaign and output analysis. In particular, the optical characterization results of a CPV system are obtained by means of in-depth experimental analysis using Triple-Junction (TJ) solar cells with areas of 5.5 × 5.5 mm2 and 10 × 10 mm2. Three different setups have been analyzed related to primary and secondary optics composition. The main aim of this paper is the determination of a direct measuring technique, rarely adopted in literature in comparison to the established techniques, that is able to evaluate experimentally the optical parameter values and that can be standardized for other CPV systems. In particular, equations that link the optical concentration factor (C) and efficiency (ηopt) with focal distance (h) represent the fundamental results. They can be used for similar point-focus configurations presenting the same TJ cell size and ranges of C, ηopt and h. Finally, the experimental results of the direct method are compared with those of an indirect method adopting the same CPV system and operational conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CPV System Optical Performance Evaluation by Means of Direct Experimental Measurement Procedure

Renno,

Petito

2024

Energies

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Solar lighting systems applied in photocatalysis to treat pollutants – A review

Perez

Bueno

2023

Reviews on Advanced Materials Science

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This work summarizes the different natural lighting systems applied for pollutant treatment systems using photocatalysis. The principles and fundamentals of the technologies used are revisited and examples of technologies most used for treatment either at the laboratory or at the pilot plant level are disclosed. This unveils a general panorama of treatment technologies via photocatalysis, using natural sunlight as an illumination source. Aside from these concentrated solar power systems that are inviable for photocatalytic aqueous treatments, reported scientific works are shown about heliostats, parabolic troughs, Fresnel lenses, and direct illuminated systems. As a valuable result of this review, the power used in photocatalytic systems requires higher attention not only in these systems but in laboratories and prototypes. Photocatalysts and their countless configuration variants are limited due to the potential barriers in particle borders, interfaces, and surfaces to cause redox reactions in water and pollutant target molecules. These factors reduce photocatalyst efficiencies for converting light energy to useful electron pair charge carriers for water treatments. The use of solar concentration systems applied to photocatalytic treatment systems can generate enough charge carriers, improving the efficiency of the systems, and making it feasible to scale up various configurations of this treatment pathway. Subsequently, the photocatalyst material and light are both important.

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Computational Modeling of a Small-Scale, Solar Concentrating Device Based on a Fresnel-Lens Collector and a Flat Plate Receiver with Cylindrical Channels

et al. 2023

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The energy efficiency of a small-scale solar concentrating thermal device is investigated, based on Monte-Carlo Ray-Tracing (MCRT) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. The device consists of a Fresnel lens collector—engraved on a 1 m rectangular plate—and a 10 cm sized plate receiver, with drilled cylindrical channels with a diameter of 10 mm. Inlet velocities and heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperatures lie within the range of 0.25–1 m/s and 100–200 °C, respectively. The configurations examined involve the utilization of a selective coating on the absorbing surface of the receiver, increasing the channel diameter to 15 mm and the receiver size to 20 cm, and insertion of a glass envelope in front of the absorbing surface. Energy efficiency increases with increasing fluid velocity up to 80%, a level beyond which no further improvement is observed. The coating contributes to a reduction in heat losses; it brings substantial benefits for the lower velocities examined. The increase in channels diameter also contributes to an increase in the energy efficiency, while the increase in receiver dimensions leads to the opposite effect. The glass cover does not improve the performance of the collector, due to substantial optical losses.

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Experimental Comparison between Spherical and Refractive Optics in a Concentrating Photovoltaic System

Cited by 3 publications

References 26 publications

CPV System Optical Performance Evaluation by Means of Direct Experimental Measurement Procedure

CPV System Optical Performance Evaluation by Means of Direct Experimental Measurement Procedure

Solar lighting systems applied in photocatalysis to treat pollutants – A review

Computational Modeling of a Small-Scale, Solar Concentrating Device Based on a Fresnel-Lens Collector and a Flat Plate Receiver with Cylindrical Channels

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