An IoT Based on Smart CPV Units Composed of a Hyperbolic Optical Element

Abstract

The first part of the study refers to the development of a 3D solar concentrator composed of two optical elements; a flat circular Fresnel lens associated with a hyperbolic concentrator. This research is conducted to provide better insight into the concentrator optical performance. The concentrator optical performance system is evaluated for the acceptance angle, achieved concentration, fresnel lens tolerances in secondary element placement, and flux distribution on the secondary optic output. Results show the optical efficiencies of the circular apertures and the square apertures of hyperbole as a function of the heights. We noticed that the circular apertures of hyperbole present high optical efficiency for lengths of 30 to 55mm. Still, beyond this length, the square apertures of the hyperbole exhibit higher optical efficiency. Comparison of these optical elements as secondary optical elements with the elements studied in the previous work (pyramid, compound parabolic concentrator, cone, crossed compound parabolic concentrator). We found that pyramid remains the best secondary optical element for a Fresnel lens as a primary optic. The second part is based on deploying a new cost-effective method using IoT to remotely monitor and assess a photovoltaic plant operation. Using technology to supervise concentrated solar generation can significantly improve plant performance, monitoring, and maintenance. This will make preventive maintenance, defect detection, historical plant analysis, and real-time tracking easier. The follow-up program successfully collected all the data from morning till evening. The mean transmission time is 52.34 seconds, with 30 and 102 seconds the shortest and greatest transmission times.