Performance Analysis of a Prototype High‐Concentration Photovoltaic System Coupled to Silica Optical Fibers

Abstract

High‐concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems are one of the most promising technologies for the generation of renewable energy with high‐conversion efficiency. Their development is still at an early stage, but the possibility of integrating high‐concentration systems into buildings offers new opportunities to achieve the net‐zero‐energy building goal. Herein, the optical and energetic performance of a hybrid daylighting−HCPV prototype based on pure‐ or doped‐silica optical fibers (OFs) to guide 2000× concentrated sunlight inside the buildings is evaluated. There, the light can either be used to illuminate interior spaces or projected on solar cells to generate electricity. The system equipped with a single 400 μm core‐diameter OF is demonstrated to achieve a total efficiency of 15% and an optical efficiency of 45%.