A Conversion Efficiency Determination of High Efficiency Solar Cells with the Parabolic Dish Concentrating System

Abstract

Aims: Field test for the conversion efficiency determination of high concentrating solar cells with the parabolic dish concentrating system in a tropical location. Background: Typical solar cell system using in a tropical location is a fixed panel via commercial grade mono crystalline, poly crystalline or amorphous solar panels. They have low conversion efficiency, so they need a wide area to enhance electrical energy. The consequence is low yielding in terms of economics and unpopular use in an urban zone. Objective: To test for the conversion efficiency determination of high concentrating solar cells with the parabolic dish concentrating system in a tropical location. Methods: The research was conducted at the top of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU) Science Center Building, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The four multi junction solar cells were connected together to receive the reflecting concentrated sunlight from the parabolic dish. The conversion efficiency of the 160 watts peak mono crystalline solar cell panel for a comparing purpose was also determined. Multi junction solar cells with parabolic dish concentrating and cooling systems, solar cell panel, pyrheliometer, pyranometer and light sensor were set up on the dual axes sun tracker. Data were gathered every 5 minutes all day from January 2018 to February 2019 for all 3 seasons via the automatic data logging system. Results: The results had presented that the average conversion efficiency of high concentrating solar cell module with the parabolic dish concentrating system for 100x and of the 160 watts peak mono crystalline solar cell panel was 15.18% and 9.46% respectively, with the percentage difference of 56.45%. While the average output powers per unit area per year of multi junction solar cells with concentrating system and mono crystalline solar cell panel were 98,544.92watt/m2 and 664.37watt/m2 respectively, with the ratio of 148.33. Conclusion: It is clearly seen that, in terms of conversion efficiency and output power per unit area per year, the multi junction solar cells with the parabolic dish concentrating system have more advantage than the typical mono crystalline solar cell panel. Other: Other: Especially from the economical aspect, the utilization of the parabolic dish concentrating system with MJ solar cells can reduce the land investment cost and also encourage solar cell utilization not only in rural but also in urban for the tropical climate countries.