In this article, we simulated the performance of bifacial and monofacial silicon heterojunction solar cells under measured spectro-angular solar irradiance. We developed a new setup and procedure to measure spectro-angular irradiance over a wide range of orientations. Measurements were executed in Enschede, the Netherlands (52 • 23 N, 6 • 85 E). Using this measured multi-dimensional input irradiance along with SunSolve simulated external quantum efficiency for various cells, we determined the short-circuit current density of bifacial and monofacial silicon heterojunction solar cells. We conclude that monofacial cells perform marginally better than bifacial cells for front-side illumination (up to 3.0% more for direct sun) and bifacial cells perform significantly better than monofacial cells (higher output ranging from 20.1% to 68.1%), under diffuse irradiance. We compared our results with a well-monitored roof-top solar module setup and found good agreement for clear sky days (accuracy 1.1%-8.5%).
We developed an experimental set-up and procedure to measure spectral and angular solar irradiance to accurately predict and optimize solar power plant performance. The set-up is comprised of a fiber coupled spectrometer mounted to a rotational stage which allows for 360⁰ light capture. The lightweight and flexible design enables irradiance measurements at any location.Measurements were taken in Enschede, Netherlands and in Phoenix, AZ, USA. We find a strong dependence of spectro-angular irradiance on the location, surroundings and cloud coverage which needs to be considered when modelling and optimizing location dependent solar power plant output.
Collimating and concentrating broad-band diffused light can increase the yield, decrease the cost, and open new opportunities for solar-generated electricity. Adherence to the second law of thermodynamics requires that collimation, and therefore the reduction of étendue or entropy, of diffused sunlight, i.e., light scattered by clouds or the atmosphere, can only occur if the photons lose energy during the process. This principle has been demonstrated in luminescent solar concentrators; solar photons are energetically down-shifted by a luminophore and the emitted photons are trapped within a transparent matrix and guided toward an edge lining solar cell. However, this process suffers from low efficiency as the photons are trapped within the waveguide for a long time, encountering many instances of accumulating loss mechanisms. Here, we theoretically describe and experimentally demonstrate the first free-space diffused light collimation system which overcomes these efficiency losses. The high photon energy solar spectrum is allowed to enter the system from all angles, whereas the re-emitted luminescent photons can only escape under a desired emission cone. We achieved this through doping a polymethylmetacrylate waveguide with Lumogen Red dye, which we cover on one side with a Lambertian reflector for photon recycling and induced randomization and on the top face with a complex multilayer dielectric nanophotonic coating stack. We experimentally found an angular concentration of 118% within the designed escape cone, where isotropic emission corresponds to 100%, thereby verifying the reduction of étendue in free space experimentally. Such free-space collimation systems will enable efficient redirection of sunlight toward solar panels, thereby increasing yield, decreasing heating through the emission of low energy photons, and expanding the range of available surfaces from which sunlight can be harvested.
We present an albedo-centric reverse-ray tracing software to model the influence of albedo surfaces with complex spectro-angular reflectance (i.e. diffuse, glossy, specular, and metamaterials) on the short-circuit current density of a bifacial module. We find that for a silicon heterojunction module, a diffuse albedo leads to higher output and is more robust to self-shading and changes in orientation than a specular reflector. Our approach enables detailed and accurate albedo-dependent output calculation for various known and even exotic reflectors. Such a methodology can be used to design optimal reflectors and determine optimal configurations.
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