Simulation and On-Site Performance of a Novel 3D Concentrator for Photovoltaic Application

Abstract

We presented a family of new 3D concentrators. Simulations showed they could significantly increase the illumination on objective plane compared with 2D trough concentrators. A 3D concentrator prototype with a nominal 35° half acceptance angle was made. Its performance was tested under an indoor solar simulator and by on-site experiment. Under solar simulator, a low cost poly-silicon solar cell coupled with a 3D concentrator achieved a 2.25 times of maximum output power compared with a similar bare solar cell. In the on-site experiment, poly-silicon solar cell with a 3D compound parabolic based reflective concentrator gained an average of 1.4 times maximum output power when the incidence sunlight within the critical angle.