Enhancing the performance of a building integrated compound parabolic photovoltaic concentrator using a hybrid photovoltaic cell

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) cell consisting of high efficiency and low efficiency cells was designed and fabricated. For comparison, low efficiency single cell was also fabricated and both PV cells were evaluated within a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). The fabrication of a hybrid cell was based on the simulation analysis which identified the regions with high energy concentration and low energy concentration in the CPC. Results indicates that the overall experimental daily power output of a hybrid PV cell on a clear sunny day and partial cloud day is higher than that of low efficiency single PV cell by 12% in both cases. On the other hand, the overall theoretical daily power output of a hybrid PV cell on a clear sunny day, partial cloud day and overcast day is also higher than that of low efficiency single PV cell by 11%, 10% and 13%, respectively.