PHOTOVOLTAIC FEATURES OF PV-T MODULE WITH ASYMMETRIC PARABOLIC-CYLINDRIC CONCENTRATOR AND PHOTORECEIVER ON THE BASIS OF MATRIX SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

Design and development of photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) modules is currently one of the important directions of solar energy application. These projects are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of solar energy conversion through combining electric and thermal energy generation in one device by decreasing solar energy losses and consequently decreasing energy generation costs. The paper discusses the new PV-T modules, including photoreceiver and solar illumination concentrator which provides efficient conversion of solar energy into heat and electricity. The mathematical modeling is used to create an algorithm for calculating of PV-T module design with the specified energy parameters. The laws of geometrical optics, photovoltaics, as well as heat and mass transfer are used. Such modules, based on a symmetrical parabolic-cylindrical concentrator and a photoreceiver with a coolant system flow may serve as a cogeneration installation for electricity and heat generation. Developed solar prototypes were investigated at testing ground and in field conditions with sun illumination. Solar module with asymmetric parabolic-cylindric concentrator with the midsection area 66х70 cm 2 and concentrated radiation photoreceiver on the basis of 6x68 cm 2 area matrix solar cells, with the flow coolant system provides 27 electrical powerwatts. The calculation of optic efficiency results in 0,64, which is not the limit for this concentrator module construction; and the comparison of photoelectric energy received from this module and a standard planar solar battery with the same area and equal effectiveness of photoconverters during the period between winter and summer solstice gives an increase of 26%. Increasing the optic efficiency up to 80%, which is realistic at current technologic reserves, this increase can reach 50%.