Experimental evaluation of V-trough (2 suns) PV concentrator system using commercial PV modules

Sangani, C.S.; Solanki, Chetan Singh

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2006.10.012

Cited by 89 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The cost implications of these strategies must also be taken into account in order to compare the cost-effectiveness of different design alternatives. Several simple cost-effectiveness analysis were found in literature which take the proportional gain in energy, due to strategies seeking to maximise the output of a PV area, and compare it against the proportional increase in costs, based on area cost estimates [20,22,29,34]. A much more detailed cost-effectiveness analysis was performed by Fraidenraich [14] and is specific for V-Trough PV device, but it is too specifically tied to the beam radiation's model he proposed, which is less flexible than the one proposed in this work.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The optical elements of linear-focus LCPV consist mainly in Fresnel lenses [10] and reflective troughs of different geometries, i.e., cylindrical, compound parabolic and flat V-Troughs [2]. This work is centred in V-Trough LCPV because of the relative simplicity and low-cost of their optics, i.e., flat mirrors, which results in the potential of a technology that is more affordable, accessible and easier to manufacture and maintain [5,13,14,29,34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling and simulation of direct solar radiation for cost-effectiveness analysis of V-Trough photovoltaic devices

Arias-Rosales

Mejía–Gutiérrez

2016

Int J Interact Des Manuf

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In the urge to make solar energy competitive enough to directly face fossil fuels, several approaches result crucial for their intended capacity to maximise the energy that can be produced with a given photovoltaic area. Low Concentration Photovoltaics (LCPV) and tracking methods can be integrated in V-Trough solar devices to increase their effective solar harvesting area through low-cost non-imaging optics. As a tool to support the design and simulation of such devices, this work proposes an analytical and numerical model that simulates the interactions of direct solar radiation with the V-Trough's elements. The proposed model is design-oriented and was developed seeking high parameter flexibility, high geometrical detail and low computational demands. The model was experimentally validated through several simulations of V-Trough set-ups which results were compared against measurements with a testing platform. Through a non-parametric statistical analysis, the model proved to be satisfactory and highly accurate. Furthermore, the calculations regarding optical concentration performance were complemented with a cost analysis and integrated into a cost-effectiveness index. The results from this work serve as a useful modelling tool for designing and comparing alternatives of V-Trough solar devices.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling and simulation of direct solar radiation for cost-effectiveness analysis of V-Trough photovoltaic devices

Arias-Rosales

Mejía–Gutiérrez

2016

Int J Interact Des Manuf

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“…Results indicated that concentration ratio increases with the increase in incidence angle and the tracking step duration does not affect the reflected radiation. Regarding the V-trough reflectors, many studies are referred to one or two tracking axis using flat mirrors [17][18][19][20]. System performance can be enhanced by increasing the concentration ratio, but if it reaches beyond a critical value, cooling of the panel needs to be carried out.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand the polycrystalline Si cell did not enhance the power output as expected, because commercially available mirrors coated with aluminum have their lowest reflectivity around 900 nm, which is the center of the effective wavelength required for polycrystalline Si cells. A design procedure and experimental facility was built to assess the technical viability of a V-trough tracking PV system [20]. Simulations were performed and the results indicated 26% increase in electric energy due to tracking, and the electric energy output for V-trough system was increased up to 72%, compared with horizontal fixed collector.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Combined Optical, Thermal and Electrical Performance Study of a V-Trough PV System—Experimental and Analytical Investigations

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The objective of this study was to achieve higher efficiency of a PV system while reducing of the cost of energy generation. Concentration photovoltaics was employed in the present case as it uses low cost reflectors to enhance the efficiency of the PV system and simultaneously reduces the cost of electricity generation. For this purpose a V-trough integrated with the PV system was employed for low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV). Since the electrical output of the concentrating PV system is significantly affected by the temperature of the PV cells, the motivation of the research also included studying the ability to actively cool PV cells to achieve the maximum benefit. The optical, thermal and electrical performance of the V-trough PV system was theoretically modeled and validated with experimental results. Optical modeling of V-trough was carried out to estimate the amount of enhanced absorbed radiation. Due to increase in the absorbed radiation the module temperature was also increased which was predicted by thermal model. Active cooling techniques were studied and the effect of cooling was analyzed on the performance of V-trough PV system. With absorbed radiation and module temperature as input parameters, electrical modeling was carried out and the maximum power was estimated. For the V-trough OPEN ACCESSEnergies 2015, 8 2804 PV system, experiments were performed for validating the numerical models and very good agreement was found between the two.

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“…However, the cost of PV modules has started increasing since last two years due to material shortage in the market. Measures are required to reduce the PV power generation cost by reducing the material consumption because the PV cell material contributes about 50% of the total cost of PV system [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliable Concentrated Photovoltaic System with Compound Concentrator

Chen

Bai

et al. 2008

Proceedings of ISES World Congress 2007 (Vol. I – Vol. V)

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Concentrated photovoltaic systems (CPVSs) draw more and more attention because of high photovoltaic conversion efficiency, low consumption of solar cell, and low cost of power generation. However, the fallibility of the tracker in such systems has hindered their practical application for more than twenty years. The tracker is indispensable for a CPVS since only normal-incident sunlight can be focused on the solar cell chips, even a slight deviation of incident light will result in a significant loss of solar radiation, and hence a distinct decrease in electricity output. Generally, the more accurate the tracker is, the more reliable the system is. However, it is not exactly the case for a CPVS reliability, because the more accurate the tracker is, the better environment it demands. A CPVS is usually has to subjected to harsh environmental conditions, such as strong wind, heavy rain or snow, and huge changes of temperature, which leads to the invalidation of the system's high-accuracy tracker. Hence, the reliability of a CPVS cannot be improved only by enhancing the tracker's accuracy. In this paper, a novel compound concentrator, combination of Fresnel lens and photo-funnel, has been adopted in a prototype CPVS. Test results show that the compound concentrator can relax the angle tolerance from one tenth to five degrees of arc at 400 suns, which can help a CPVS endure serious environment and remain its reliability over long period. The CPVS with compound concentrator is attractive for commercial application.

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Experimental evaluation of V-trough (2 suns) PV concentrator system using commercial PV modules

Cited by 89 publications

References 2 publications

Modelling and simulation of direct solar radiation for cost-effectiveness analysis of V-Trough photovoltaic devices

Modelling and simulation of direct solar radiation for cost-effectiveness analysis of V-Trough photovoltaic devices

A Combined Optical, Thermal and Electrical Performance Study of a V-Trough PV System—Experimental and Analytical Investigations

Reliable Concentrated Photovoltaic System with Compound Concentrator

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