Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems

João Paulo N. Torres, Carlos A. F. Fernandes, João Gomes, Bonfiglio Luc, Giovinazzo Carine, Olle Olsson and P. J. Costa Branco
Additional contact information
João Paulo N. Torres: Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
Carlos A. F. Fernandes: Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
João Gomes: Department of Building, Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden
Bonfiglio Luc: Ecole Polytechnique Universitaire de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
Giovinazzo Carine: Ecole Polytechnique Universitaire de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
Olle Olsson: Department of Building, Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden
P. J. Costa Branco: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Institute of Mechanical Engineering (LAETA, IDMEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-15

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.

Keywords: concentrating photovoltaic (C-PV) solar systems; maximum reflector collector (MaReCo); ray-tracing; reflector design; Soltrace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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