Low Concentration Photovoltaic Module Research Articles

Modular Line-Focused Space Solar Power Satellite

The Space Solar Power Satellite is an ultra-large space structure, which collects sunlight directly in space and then transmits it into the ground. Since the idea was invented in 1968, scientists around the world have proposed several typical conceptual design models. Nevertheless, the conceptual models have not been implemented for technological, manufacturing, and cost reasons. This paper presents a novel Space Solar Power Satellite scheme with modular line-focused concentrators and low concentration photovoltaic modules. First, the line-focused mode is analyzed and the optical performance of the circular trough concentrator is evaluated via ray-trace technique. Then, shape optimization for the cell array based on the Bézier curve is carried out to improve the optical property. Numerical examples indicate that the optimized cell array could obtain high power collection efficiency and suitable energy distribution. Moreover, the area of the photovoltaic cell array is reduced, which is conducive to cost reduction. Furthermore, modular design is conducted on the circular trough concentrator. Finally, the primary scheme of the novel Space Solar Power Satellite is designed with the previous modular concentrator and optimized cell array.

Potential of Implementing the Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems in the United Kingdom

This paper discusses the prospect of integrating a novel type of low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) design known as the rotationally asymmetrical compound parabolic concentrator (RACPC) in a building in the United Kingdom. This is done by proposing a number of building integration designs to create a zero carbon building. A cost reduction analysis of installing the LCPV systems in the country is also presented. It was found that an RACPC design could reduce the LCPV module’s manufacturing cost by 31.75% and the LCPV module’s cost per unit power output by 33.87% when compared with the conventional PV module.

Low-concentration photovoltaic module with reflective compound parabolic concentrator fabricated by roll-to-roll slot-die coating and 3D printing.

We fabricate a low-concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) module with a reflective compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) using roll-to-roll (R2R) slot-die coating and 3D printing technologies. A highly reflective silver thin-film is coated on a flexible plastic substrate, and the CPC frame is manufactured via 3D printing. The slot-die-coated silver film with thickness of more than 100 nm stably exhibits 95% reflectivity at 550 nm. Further, CPC concentrators with concentration ratios of 4X and 3X are assembled into silicon solar cells and characterized. Although the fill factor and maximum voltage slightly decrease, power and efficiency increase by factors of 3.51 and 2.63 with respect to the no-CPC-module case. Our approach can be used to optimize the design of various engineering products.

Development of a mirror‐based LCPV module and test results

AbstractThe design of a specific low concentration photovoltaic module is described here, with a report of the results of the first experimental tests of its industrial version. The product is a 20× reflective concentrating photovoltaic module based on silicon solar cells. The optics were designed to mount these modules on 2‐axis trackers with angular pointing accuracy of up to about ±4° without significant power loss. The high angular acceptance of the non‐imaging optics permits the collection of a high fraction of the circumsolar light impinging on the module's frontal aperture, providing high direct normal irradiance efficiency in real operative conditions. Many technical features of the product are described here, in which features are the result of 5 years of product development in order to improve performance, reliability and cost issues. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effect of varying concentration and temperature on steady and dynamic parameters of low concentration photovoltaic energy system

Low-concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) system has huge potential for further cost reduction of solar photovoltaic (PV) power as compared to flat panel PV. The dependence of steady state and dynamic parameters on concentration and temperature is crucial to extract maximum power from solar photovoltaic system. This article aims to present the effect of varying concentration and temperature on steady state and dynamic parameters of LCPV system under actual test conditions (ATC). The rate of change in ISC with solar irradiation i.e., dISC/dG is found as 0.25A/W assuming ≈±1°C change in module temperature. The effect of temperature on inherent material properties responsible for photo-conversion efficiency is studied using impedance spectroscopy technique. A linear response of series resistance of LCPV module is observed with respect to change in module temperature, i.e. dRS/dT from 297 to 333K is in the range of 1.15–1.20Ω with a rate of 1mΩ/K. From real-time analysis of LCPV system open-circuit voltage found decreasing from 21 to 20.6V with temperature coefficient of voltage ≈−0.061V/K. The dynamic resistance has a positive coefficient of module temperature i.e., drd/dT given by 0.49Ω/K.

A model based on artificial neuronal network for the prediction of the maximum power of a low concentration photovoltaic module for building integration

Low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) modules for building integration are considered to have great potential because it offers several advantages over conventional photovoltaic technology. However, one of the problems of this technology is that as yet there are no models in the literature to directly calculate the maximum power of these kinds of systems. The development of models is an important task to promote the application of this technology because it allows the prediction of the energy yield. In this paper a model based on artificial neural networks has been developed to address this important issue. The model takes into account all the main important parameters that influence the electrical output of these kinds of systems: direct irradiance, diffuse irradiance, module temperature and the transverse and longitudinal incidence angles. The results show that the proposed model can be used for estimating the maximum power of a LCPV module for building integration with an adequate margin of error.

System Performance Considerations for Low-Concentration Linear-Focus Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Modules

Low-concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) module designs offer several advantages related to performance, cost, and potential reliability. With only slight modification, widely available crystalline silicon cells can operate efficiently and reliably to about 3X concentration, which significantly reduces the cell contribution to the module cost and provides a large acceptance angle for the solar tracking tolerance. These module designs also benefit from the use of materials and manufacturing processes common to the mature and field proven crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) industry. This paper discusses the unique performance characteristics considered in measuring and modeling the performance of Solaria LCPV modules and systems, along with measured comparisons versus conventional silicon PV technologies.

Thermal endurance study of polymers used in low concentration photovoltaic modules

Thermal endurance studies were performed on the major polymeric components used in a Low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) module using a thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) method. Activation energy of the various polymers was obtained, and lifetimes were predicted based on the assumption of 5% weight loss for 30 years. Oven aging was used to verify the TGA thermal endurance prediction. Reasonable agreement between TGA prediction and oven baking results were reached, with the exception of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant that demonstrated a second-order reaction inconsistent with TGA assumptions. As a result, a more LCPV-relevant way to characterize the degradation of EVA was developed and demonstrated a linear relationship between PV device short-circuit current degradation and yellowness index. For the purpose of this EVA degradation analysis, a 20% reduction in PV device short circuit current was selected as the failure criteria.

Competitiveness of stationary planar low concentration photovoltaic modules using silicon cells: A focus on concentrating optics

The economical competitiveness of stationary Low Concentration Photovoltaic (LCPV) modules is evaluated, starting from detailed expressions of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). For trackless LCPV to be competitive with standard modules, the key approach is to maximize the performance of concentrating optics in terms of yearly averaged effective optical power ratio. To express this a novel parameter named Pro,eff is introduced and its contribution to the expression of LCoE for LCPV modules is discussed. By comparing the LCoEs of standard and LCPV modules, threshold conditions for Pro,eff and for the relative unitary cost of concentrating optics Cr are found, in dependence on the geometrical concentration gain G and as a function of other sensitive design parameters.Aiming at the maximization of Pro,eff, the novel design of a modified prism-coupled compound parabolic stationary concentrator is introduced, as a trackless LCPV solution compatible with standard flat panel size, weight and installation infrastructures. It provides geometrical concentration gain G=5, an acceptance angle of 24° and Pro,eff=81%, using a reflective primary concentrator and high refractive index dielectric for the secondary optics. A first experimental validation of the approach is given by a proof-of-concept prototype, implemented in commercially available polymethylmethacrylate, suitable for quasi-stationary installations requiring seasonal adjustment.

Characterization of a low concentrator photovoltaics module

Low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) systems have the potential to reduce the cost per kWh of electricity compared to conventional flat-plate photovoltaics (PV) by up to 50%. The cost-savings are realised by replacing expensive PV cells with relatively cheaper optical components to concentrate incident solar irradiance onto a receiver and by tracking the sun along either 1 axis or 2 axes. A LCPV module consists of three interrelated subsystems, viz., the optical, electrical and the thermal subsystems, which must be considered for optimal module design and performance. Successful integration of these subsystems requires the balancing of cost, performance and reliability. In this study LCPV experimental prototype modules were designed, built and evaluated with respect to optimisation of the three subsystems and overall performance. This paper reports on the optical and electrical evaluation of a prototype LCPV module.