Simulating the Annual Energy Yield of a Rotationally Asymmetrical Optical Concentrator

Abstract

This paper simulates the annual energy yield of a concentrator called the rotationally asymmetrical dielectric totally internally reflective concentrator (RADTIRC). One specific design of the RADTIRC is assumed to be installed in Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany. Simulation and experimental work have been carried out to determine the optical concentration gain under direct and diffuse radiations. Based on the analysis, it was found that the yearly energy yield was increased by a factor of 2.29 when the RADTIRC-PV module was used when compared with the non-concentrating PV module.