Performance modeling and testing of a building integrated concentrating photovoltaic (BICPV) system

Baig, Hasan; Sellami, Nazmi; Mallick, Tapas K

Abstract

Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaics (BICPV) is a promising solution leading toward self-sustaining buildings. In this work, we have evaluated the performance of one such system carrying out detailed modeling and indoor experiments. The system has a geometric concentration of 6× and typically consists of a dielectric based Symmetric Elliptical Hyperboloid (SEH) concentrating element attached to a silicon solar cell. The incoming light incident on the top surface is concentrated and reaches the solar cell in a non-uniform fashion. Part of this concentrated light is converted to electricity and rest is dissipated in the form of heat. In order to analyze the performance of such a system, a coupled optical, electrical and thermal analysis is required. Using the non-uniform flux distribution obtained by the optical analysis, the electrical modeling of the solar cell is carried out at different incident angles. Modeling showed a maximum power ratio of 3.7 which is in line with the experimental values under a constant solar cell temperature. Several loss mechanisms occur in the system under actual operating conditions. Losses occurring due to the absorption of light over a range of spectrum were quantified by performing an External Quantum efficiency analysis. The losses occurring due to the solar cell temperature were evaluated while carrying out a coupled electrical and thermal analysis of the system. A maximum temperature of 319 K was observed on the solar cell surface under normal incidence. An average drop of 11.7% was found making the effective power ratio of the system 3.4.

Citation

Baig, H., Sellami, N., & Mallick, T. K. (2015). Performance modeling and testing of a building integrated concentrating photovoltaic (BICPV) system. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 134, 29-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2014.11.019

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 8, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Nov 28, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2021
• Journal: Solar energy materials and solar cells
• Print ISSN: 0927-0248
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-3398
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 134
• Pages: 29-44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2014.11.019
• Keywords: BiCPV, Non-uniform Modeling, BiPV, CPV
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2818287