PROJECT TITLE :

Design and Construction of a ∼7× Low-Concentration Photovoltaic System Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrators

ABSTRACT:

We report on the design, construction, and initial performance measurements of an occasional-concentration photovoltaic system based mostly on compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs). The system is approximately a seven× concentration system and uses commercially out there laser groove buried contact monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. The CPCs are fabricated using a second-surface aluminized acrylic mirror with proven weather sturdiness. The uneven CPC optical style was driven by a balance between concentration factor, thermal issues, and optical angle of acceptance and was totally evaluated by optical ray tracing. The look was targeted for a single-axis tracking system, with extruded aluminum heat sinks doubling as structural parts. We fabricated a one hundred twenty-cell (10 × twelve) prototype array, and over three months of operation, we estimated an approximate peak total system power potency of seven.nine%, limited largely by the CPC optical potency (∼55%) and therefore the cell conversion efficiency. We have a tendency to discuss many issues concerning system performance, reliability, and cost.