Abstract
A novel hybrid solar concentrated photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) collector is designed, simulated, and tested. The PV/T system uses a parabolic trough to focus sunlight towards a nonimaging compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) that is formed of single junction Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells to simultaneously generate electricity and high temperature thermal power. The GaAs cells generate electricity from high energy photons and reflect low energy photons towards the high temperature absorber, thus maximizing the exergy output of the system. The two-stage design also allows the thermal absorber to reach a geometric concentration ratio of ∼60×, which is significantly higher than other PV/T systems and enables the absorber to reach high temperatures even under partial utilization of the solar spectrum. The modelled exergy efficiency with a thermal absorber operating at 500 °C is 37%. In the experimental setup, the maximum outlet temperature reached was 365 °C with a thermal efficiency of around 37%. The direct solar to electric efficiency from the GaAs cells was 8%. This design is capable of producing electricity directly along with high temperature thermal energy that can be stored for dispatchable electricity production and has the potential to significantly improve the exergy efficiency of parabolic troughs plants.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
