Development of Low-Cost c-Si-Based CPV Cells for a Solar Co-Generation Absorber in a Parabolic Trough Collector

Elsen Aydin, Armin Buchroithner (), Richard Felsberger, Rupert Preßmair, Ahmet Azgın, Rasit Turan, Ahmet Emin Keçeci, Gence Bektaş and Bulent Akinoglu
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Elsen Aydin: Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey
Armin Buchroithner: Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems (EMS), Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Richard Felsberger: Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems (EMS), Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Rupert Preßmair: Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems (EMS), Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
Ahmet Azgın: Department of Physics, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey
Rasit Turan: Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey
Ahmet Emin Keçeci: Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey
Gence Bektaş: Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey
Bulent Akinoglu: Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM), Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara 06800, Turkey

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: Concentrator photovoltaics (CPVs) have demonstrated high electrical efficiencies and technological potential, especially when deployed in CPV–thermal (CPV-T) hybrid absorbers, in which the cells’ waste heat can be used to power industrial processes. However, the high cost of tracking systems and the predominant use of expensive multi-junction PV cells have caused the market of solar co-generation technologies to stall. This paper describes the development and testing of a low-cost alternative CPV cell based on crystalline silicone (c-Si) for use in a novel injection-molded parabolic hybrid solar collector, generating both, photovoltaic electricity and thermal power. The study covers two different c-Si cell technologies, namely, passive emitter rear contact (PERC) and aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF). Simulation design and manufacturing are described with special attention to fingerprinting in order to achieve high current carrying capacities for concentrated sunlight. It was determined that Al-BSF cells offer higher efficiencies than PERC for the considered use case. Solar simulator tests showed that the highly doped 4 cm 2 cells (50 ohm/sq) reach efficiencies of 16.9% under 1 sun and 13.1% under 60 suns at 25 °C with a temperature coefficient of −0.069%(Abs)/K. Finally, options to further improve the cells are discussed and an outlook is given for deployment in a field-testing prototype.

Keywords: concentrator photovoltaics; hybrid solar absorber; solar cogeneration; parabolic trough; low-cost solar cells (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: 2024
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