A Concentrator Photovoltaic System Based on a Combination of Prism-Compound Parabolic Concentrators

Vu, Ngoc Hai; Shin, Seoyong

doi:10.3390/en9080645

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…This type of solar cell is Because of the simplicity of the proposed flat CPV system in terms of its shape, weight, operating principle, and cost, it can easily be installed on rooftops. The adoption of flat CPVs for rooftop installation will address the apparent huge demand for commercialization [17]. The aim of the present research is to design a flat CPV system suitable for residential rooftops; therefore, a brief comparison between our proposed system and widely used PV panels is essential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flat Concentrator Photovoltaic System with Lateral Displacement Tracking for Residential Rooftops

Shin

2018

Energies

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We present a design for a flat concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system that requires only lateral displacement for sun-tracking, intended for residential rooftop applications. Compared with flat-plate photovoltaics (PVs), CPV technology is essential for reducing the use of semi-conductor materials, which also enables cheaper solar power generation. Existing CPV designs are more bulky and complex than traditional PV panel techniques and are therefore better suited to solar farms than rooftop use. In this study, we explore an alternate approach, employing a mirror-coated lenslet array, to demonstrate a flat CPV system for rooftop installation. This mirror-coated lenslet array collects solar radiation and concentrates it with a very short focal length. The lateral movement of lenslet focal points according to a changing incident angle of sunlight allows for the use of a lateral displacement tracking mechanism. A square array of solar cells integrated on a transparent sheet is placed on top of a mirror-coated lenslet array to collect focused sunlight and convert it to electricity. The proposed CPV panel can be achieved with a 35 mm thickness. Simulation models were developed using commercial optical design software (LightTools). The simulation demonstrates an optical efficiency of up to 89.5% when the concentration ratio of the system is fixed to 50×. The simplicity of the structure enables cheaper mass production. Our quest for a lateral displacement sun-tracking mechanism also shows that the system has a high tolerance, thereby enabling cost savings by replacing a highly precise, active sun-tracking system with a lower-accuracy system. The presented flat CPV is a strong candidate for a low-cost, high-efficiency solar energy system that can be installed on the rooftops of residential buildings to deliver energy savings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flat Concentrator Photovoltaic System with Lateral Displacement Tracking for Residential Rooftops

Shin

2018

Energies

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“…Vu and Shin proposed a combination of a prism, a solid dielectric CPC, and slab waveguide to achieve a high concentration and uniform energy flux distribution on the surface of the PV cells. The function of the prism is to refract the light into the CPC while the slab waveguide guides the sunrays into the solar cells.…”

Section: Studies In the Literature On The Application Of Cpcs To Photmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Paul

2019

Int J Energy Res

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Summary The use of concentrating systems has been proposed as a way to reduce the cost of electrical energy from photovoltaic (PV) module. Since 1970s, different solar collector designs have been used to increase energy flux on the PV module. This study aims at providing a comprehensive review of development in the application of compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs) to solar photovoltaic conversion for the past five decades. By narrowing down the application of CPCs to electrical energy only gives a reader an opportunity to clearly understand the detail development stages, challenges, and research opportunities for further improvement. From this review, it has been found that during 1970s, all studies on the application of CPCs to solar photovoltaic conversion were mainly focused on establishing technical feasibility and cost effectiveness. Thereafter (1981‐May 2018), extensive studies were carried out to resolve challenges that were observed during the establishment stage. However, it has been found that even though the power output of the PV modules with the CPC was always higher than similar modules without the CPC, the values were less than the expected (theoretical) results. This was due to optical losses, series resistance losses, non‐uniform illumination effect, and high operating cell temperature effect. In addition, high cost of the PV‐CPC systems and low concentration ratio of the CPCs were also the main concerns of various researchers.

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“…In their study, the analysis confirmed that the PV module with individual cells and the effect of non‐uniform illumination resulted in high‐power output. In addition, the use of CPC in two stage‐concentrating systems has been reported to create uniform flux distribution along the PV module …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the use of CPC in two stage-concentrating systems has been reported to create uniform flux distribution along the PV module. [48][49][50][51][52] Another way of mitigating non-uniform illumination in PV application is the use of planar concentrators, which illuminate the receiver uniformly. [53][54][55][56] Nevertheless, the application of planar concentrators in PVs is limited by their low-concentration ratios.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical performance analysis and design optimisation of multisectioned compound parabolic concentrators for photovoltaics application

Paul

2018

Int J Energy Res

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Summary Currently, all compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs) for photovoltaic (PV) application consist of reflecting surfaces in the form of a parabolic shape. However, parabolic shapes create non‐uniform illumination on the PV module, which significantly reduces the power output. To achieve high‐concentration ratio and uniform illumination on the PV module, this study proposes the use of flat reflector sections in a symmetric two‐dimentional CPC instead of the parabolic shape. This collector is called multisectioned compound parabolic concentrator (M‐CPC). However, the main challenge in designing such a concentrating system lies in the determination of the optimal number of flat sections and the width of each section so that the optical properties of the M‐CPC approaches that of the standard CPC. In this work, seven M‐CPCs having the same designing parameters but with different total number of flat reflector sections were designed. A detailed analysis of the optical performance was undertaken to optimase the M‐CPCs. The optimal design was based on‐high angular acceptance, low‐optical losses, high‐optical efficiency in a wide‐interval incidence angles, and uniform energy flux distribution on the PV module. Results from the ray trace simulation analysis show that the optimal M‐CPC is the design with a total number of seven flat reflector sections (ie, M‐CPC7). This design has high‐angular acceptance (100%) in a wide‐interval incidence angles, low‐optical losses (7%), and high‐optical efficiency of about 95% in a wide‐interval incidence angles. In addition, M‐CPC7 illuminates the PV module more uniformly than the standard CPC.

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A Concentrator Photovoltaic System Based on a Combination of Prism-Compound Parabolic Concentrators

Cited by 19 publications

References 29 publications

Flat Concentrator Photovoltaic System with Lateral Displacement Tracking for Residential Rooftops

Flat Concentrator Photovoltaic System with Lateral Displacement Tracking for Residential Rooftops

Application of compound parabolic concentrators to solar photovoltaic conversion: A comprehensive review

Optical performance analysis and design optimisation of multisectioned compound parabolic concentrators for photovoltaics application

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