Performance analysis of a solar window incorporating a novel rotationally asymmetrical concentrator

Abu-Bakar, cSiti Hawa; Muhammad-Sukki, Firdaus; Freier, Daria; Ramirez-Iniguez, Roberto; Mallick, Tapas Kumar; Munir, Abu Bakar; Yasin, Siti Hajar Mohd; Mas'ud, Abdullahi Abubakar; Bani, Nurul Aini

Abstract

The race towards achieving a sustainable zero carbon building has spurred the introduction of many new technologies, including the BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic) system. To tackle the high capital cost of BIPV systems, LCPV (low-concentration photovoltaic) technology was developed. Besides the reduction of cost, the LCPV technology also produces clean energy for the building and promotes innovative architectural design. This paper presents a novel type of concentrator for BIPV systems. This concentrator, known as the RADTIRC (rotationally asymmetrical dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator), was incorporated in a small double glazing window. The RADTIRC has a geometrical concentration ratio of 4.9069x. A series of experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the solar PV window both indoors and outdoors. It was found that the RADTIRC-PV window increases the short circuit current by 4.13x when compared with a non-concentrating solar PV window. In terms of maximum power generation, the RADTIRC-PV window generates 0.749 W at normal incidence, 4.8x higher than the non-concentrating counterpart.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 12, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2020
• Journal: Energy
• Print ISSN: 0360-5442
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-6785
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 99
• Pages: 181-192
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.01.006
• Keywords: Solar photovoltaic, Solar concentrator, Rotationally asymmetrical concentrator, Building integrated photovoltaic system
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2703370
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.01.006