Simulation of a Low Concentrator Photovoltaic System Using COMSOL

Abstract

The use of photovoltaic (PV) systems presents a great solution to high energy demand. Many factors limit the output of PV systems. One method of increasing the output of PV systems is to employ concentrators. The function of these concentrators is to increase the amount of solar radiation falling on a PV panel using optical devices. In this work, a simulation of a low concentrated photovoltaic system (LCPV) (V-trough model) will be conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software package. The ray-tracing technique, based on the finite-element method, was used to study the performance of a V-trough without the incorporation of a tracking system. By investigating the effect of the mirrors’ inclination angles on the performance of the system, the optimum inclination angles were determined. The simulation was done for a non-tilted concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system if placed in different geographical locations in Saudi Arabia with the inclination of the mirrors being changed every hour of the daylight. It was found that the concentration ratio of the suggested model increased for the city of Jeddah, for example, by 171% and 131% for double and partial coverage cases, respectively. In order to reduce the operation cost, the simulation was repeated with the restriction of the mirrors’ inclination to only three positions during the day. The concentration ratio decreased in this case by not more than 14%. When mirrors were fixed throughout the day, the concentration ratio dropped to about 50%. Such simulations will assist in investigating different designs of PV systems prior to their manufacturing. In addition, it could assist in determining the best geographic location for such CPV systems.