Simulation Model of PV Module Built from Point-Focusing Fresnel Radiation Concentrators and Three-Junction High-Performance Cells

Abstract

The silicon photovoltaic modules that dominate the market today are constantly being modified, but at the same time, the search for new, more efficient design solutions is underway. The study examined a less popular photovoltaic module built from point-focusing Fresnel radiation concentrators and high-efficiency three-junction cells. The advantage of this type of module is its high overall efficiency, exceeding 30%. The disadvantage is that they require biaxial precision tracking mechanisms because even a small deviation of the direction of direct solar radiation from the perpendicular to the module’s surface causes a large and abrupt drop in efficiency. This type of photovoltaic module structure is often also marked with the symbol C3PV. A mathematical model and simulation calculations were carried out in the Matlab/Simulink package for the C3PV module—the CX-75/200 model based on the “Solar Cell” component. The concentration of direct solar radiation was taken into account. For the module under consideration, experimental and simulation results show the necessity of accurate positioning concerning the direction of solar radiation—deviation of the radiation angle by about 5° causes a very high power loss (by about 92%).

Development and Accuracy Assessment of a High-Precision Dual-Axis Pre-Commercial Solar Tracker for Concentrating Photovoltaic Modules

“…Despite the gain in energy production of a PV panel by using STSs, these systems are not usually used because of their high cost [41]. In contrast, in CPV and CSP systems, the STSs are mandatory because of the implementation of optics elements that redirect the Sun's rays towards a specific target, which establish a significant angular dependence of the systems [42]. CPV technology has a higher performance than conventional photovoltaics since it can reach conversion efficiencies of over 47% [43].…”