The High-Concentrator Photovoltaic Module

Abstract

High-concentrator photovoltaic (HCPV) modules incorporate solar cells, optical devices, cooling mechanisms, and other elements in an assembly to provide the functions required to concentrate sunlight and obtain electricity. The variety of designs for configuring HCPV modules is introduced in this chapter. Thermal management, an important aspect to be considered in the design of these modules, is discussed, as are the possibilities and innovations for implementing cooling mechanisms. The behavior of HCPV modules is complex because of the different interdependent elements and involved processes and because of the changing operating conditions in the field. The experimental analysis of available modules has motivated progress in understanding this complex behavior. The influence of different atmospheric parameters on such behavior is analyzed in this chapter. In addition, existing models for the electrical characterization of HCPV modules are reviewed. Many of these models have been recently developed and are intended for a more accurate simulation of the behavior, for easier implementation, or for meeting specific needs of the HCPV industry. The availability of reliable models to predict the energy harvested by HCPV is important to promote this photovoltaic technology.

Monitoring photovoltaic soiling: assessment, challenges, and perspectives of current and potential strategies

“…A soiling ratio of 0 occurs if soiling blocks all the sunlight from reaching the cell (100% soiling loss). Indexes similar to the soiling ratio, such as the Cleanness Index (Guo et al, 2015;Javed et al, 2017a), the Soiling Loss Factor (Tamizhmani et al, 2016), and the Soiling Factor (Rodrigo et al, 2020), can also be found in literature. All these indexes are based on the same concept as the r s : the ratio of the electrical output of a PV device to the output of the same device in clean conditions.…”

“…For these reasons, several models have already been presented to optimize the soiling mitigation strategy (i.e. maximize the difference between additional revenues and costs), depending on the environmental and economic characteristics of each site (Besson et al, 2017;Jones et al, 2016;Rodrigo et al, 2020;You et al, 2018). Despite their differences, all these models require an accurate monitoring of the losses and the understanding of their seasonality and inter-annual variability, which are discussed in this work.…”

Optimization and feasibility analysis of a microscale pin‐fins heat sink of an ultrahigh concentrating photovoltaic system

“…The solar cell temperature depends upon many parameters, including ambient conditions called the concentrator standard test conditions (CSTCs), and not merely on its concentration and area of the cell. 42,43 The thermophysical properties of the different receiver layers are reported in Table 6.…”

“…Conduction is the primary mechanism for the transfer of the generated heat by the MJSC to the pin-fins heat sink, 44 which then is transferred to the ambient by both natural convection and radiation. 42 Increasing the concentration ratio results in increasing the short-circuit current (Isc) but at the same time reduces the open-circuit voltage (V oc ) due to the increase in the cell temperature. Different MJSCs coupled with CPV system exhibits an increase in the cell efficiency of up to 1000 suns, and then the cell efficiency drops due to the internal resistive losses.…”

“…The main assumptions and boundary conditions that have been considered and applied in the simulations are summarized as follows: Uniform illumination on the solar cell. Steady state and the effect of the heat dissipation taking place on the tinniest surfaces could not be neglected; the effects of axial and crosswise conduction will be conducted (thermoelastic effects are neglected). The MJSC was designed as a heat source: establishing the cell as a block of Germanium with a 40% PV cell's peak‐efficiency and an 80% optical efficiency. Symmetry boundary conditions are applied for the CPV module and a pressure gradient normal to the walls assumed to be zero. All the lateral surfaces were thermally insulated ( Q = 0), except for the backside of the heat sink where a convective heat flux has been considered to assume the action of the natural convection. Conduction is the primary mechanism for the transfer of the generated heat by the MJSC to the pin‐fins heat sink, 44 which then is transferred to the ambient by both natural convection and radiation 42 …”