Using Static Concentrator Technology to Achieve Global Energy Goal

Abstract

Solar energy has demonstrated promising prospects in satisfying energy requirements, specifically through solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. Despite that, the cost of installation is deemed as the main hurdle to the widespread uptake of solar PV systems due to the use of expensive PV material in the module. At this point, we argue that a reduction in PV cost could be achieved through the usage of concentrator. A solar concentrator is a type of lens that is capable of increasing the collection of sun rays and focusing them onto a lesser PV area. The cost of the solar module could then be reduced on the assumption that the cost of introducing the solar concentrator in the solar module design is much lower than the cost of the removed PV material. Static concentrators, in particular, have great promise due to their ability to be integrated at any place of the building, usually on the building facade, windows and roof, due to their low geometrical concentration. This paper provides a historic context on the development of solar concentrators and showcases the latest technological development in static PV concentrators including non-imaging compound parabolic concentrator, V-trough, luminescent solar concentrator and quantum dot concentrator. We anticipated that the static low concentrating PV (LCPV) system could serve to enhance the penetration of PV technology in the long run to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7—to open an avenue to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.

Economic analysis of a novel design of microtracked concentrating photovoltaic modules

“…This broad range of CPV cost estimates, from $1.47/W to $3.3/W is unsurprising because the technology was being actively researched during the peak installation period, 2007–2014, and many companies did not wish to disclose costs, or subsidized them to an unpublished extent 15 . The two largest CPV installations are Golmud 1 (80 MW) and Golmud 2 (58 MW) at the base of the Tibetan railway in China 17 . It should be emphasized that these cost estimates are for pedestal‐based CPV.…”

The Hidden Potential of Luminescent Solar Concentrators

“…The basic LSC device has been presented in this way for over 40 years, and has been reviewed many times for many journals during this period. [ 1–12 ] As a briefest summary: the LSC has been presented in many forms and sizes from a few square centimeters up to 5 m 2 [ 13 ] using a variety of luminescent species, including organic dyes, inorganic quantum dots and phosphors. [ 3,11,14,15 ] Device efficiencies tend to be modest, with values of 7.1% [ 16 ] for a device employing GaAs photovoltaics (PVs) and 4.2% using silicon PV [ 17 ] being among the highest reported.…”

“…The basic LSC device has been presented in this way for over 40 years, and has been reviewed many times for many journals during this period. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] As a briefest summary: the LSC has been presented sensors, biological imaging, and detectors for free-space communications and scintillators, distinguishing between static and dynamic systems within the discussions. We also discuss future possibilities for the devices, hoping to spur innovative approaches and applications with an eye on commercial future.…”

Mathematical Modelling of a Static Concentrating Photovoltaic: Simulation and Experimental Validation

“…Another method of improving the solar panel's efficiency is to increase the apparent surface area of the cell using a lens (also commonly known as concentrator) or series of lenses (concentrators) to focus the solar energy from a large surface area onto a relatively small exit area where a solar cell is attached; if setup correctly this allows a solar panel to be constructed using a fraction of the number of solar cells it would typically require for a traditional solar panel of an equivalent surface area [10]. Additionally, depending on the shape of the lenses, the panel may absorb a high percentage of solar energy when it is not directly orientated towards the source of light, further increasing the efficiency of the system compared to a traditional solar panel.…”