Enhanced efficiency in a coupled photovoltaic/thermal concentrating solar collector

Ihtesham Chowdhury, Todd Otanicar, Ravi Prasher, Jonathan Sherbeck, Patrick Phelan, Marc Burrell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present an analysis of combined efficiencies in a coupled photovoltaic/thermal concentrating solar collector. The calculations take into account the drop in efficiency that accompanies the operation of photovoltaic cells at elevated temperatures along with a detailed analysis of the thermal system including all losses. An iterative numerical scheme is described that involves a coupled electro-thermal simulation of the solar energy conversion process. In the proposed configuration losses in the photovoltaic cell due to reduced efficiencies at elevated temperatures and the incident solar energy below the PV bandgap are both harnessed as heat. This thermal energy is then used to run a thermodynamic power cycle. The simulations show that it is possible to optimize the overall efficiency of the system by variation of key factors such as the solar concentration factor, band gap of the photovoltaic material, and the system thermal design configuration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Pages529-536
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2010
EventASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010 - Phoenix, AZ, United States
Duration: May 17 2010May 22 2010

Publication series

NameASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Volume2

Other

OtherASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhoenix, AZ
Period5/17/105/22/10

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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