Abstract
Solar concentrator photovoltaic collectors are able to deliver energy at higher temperatures for the same irradiances, since they are related to smaller areas for which heat losses occur. However, to ensure the system reliability, adequate collector geometry and appropriate choice of the materials used in these systems will be crucial. The present work focuses on the re-design of the Concentrating Photovoltaic system (C-PV) collector reflector presently manufactured by the company Solarus, together with an analysis based on the annual assessment of the solar irradiance in the collector. An open-source ray tracing code (Soltrace) is used to accomplish the modelling of optical systems in concentrating solar power applications. Symmetric parabolic reflector configurations are seen to improve the PV system performance when compared to the conventional structures currently used by Solarus. The parabolic geometries, using either symmetrically or asymmetrically placed receivers inside the collector, accomplished both the performance and cost-effectiveness goals: for almost the same area or costs, the new proposals for the PV system may be in some cases 70% more effective as far as energy output is concerned.
Highlights
Modernisation plays a considerable role in the change of the people’s behaviours
Solarus collector belongs to the compound parabolic collector (CPC) type, which is commonly known as the maximum reflector concentrator (MaReCo) family [27] already described in the introduction [28,29,30]
The main idea was to redesign the reflector quipping the same area of the standard Maximum Reflector Collector system (MaReCo) collector and inspect who the reflector geometry affects the total energy collected
Summary
Modernisation plays a considerable role in the change of the people’s behaviours. People’s behaviour towards energy is related to the way energy is produced and how and why it is consumed. The CSP systems could be used to extract heat from the sun, in this case, it is a thermal system [13], or it could be used to convert solar energy in electricity, and in this case, it is a concentrating photovoltaic system (C-PV) [14]. The redirection of the rays can lead to a situation in which the light does not reach the target (receiver), leading to a steep decrease in the collector efficiency This happens when the angle is outside of the reflectors acceptance angle or due to imperfections in the shape of the concentration. Orientation of the solar panels, the PV system energetic efficiency isthe strongly compromised Todifferent mitigate these effects, a re-design searching forforalternatives ofthe theC-PV. Shape ofofthe shape thecollector collectorisisshown shown[22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
