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Optical and heat transfer performance of a novel non-imaging concentrator

  • Nazmi Sellami*
  • , Xian Long Meng
  • , Xin Lin Xia
  • , Andrew R. Knox
  • , Tapas K. Mallick
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Exeter
  • School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology
  • University of Glasgow

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, the Crossed Compound Parabolic Concentrator CCPC is modified to demonstrate for the first time a new generation of solar concentrators working simultaneously as an electricity generator and thermal collector. It is designed to have two complementary surfaces, one reflective and one absorptive, and is called an absorptive/reflective CCPC (AR-CCPC). Usually, the height of the CCPC is truncated with a minor sacrifice of the geometric concentration. These truncated surfaces rather than being eliminated are instead replaced with absorbent surfaces to collect heat from solar radiation. The optical, thermal and total efficiency of the AR-CCPC was simulated and compared for different geometric concentration ratios varying from 3.6x to 4x. It was found that the combined electrical and thermal efficiency of the AR-CCPC 3.6x/4x remains constant and high all day long and the overall efficiency reach up to 94%. In addition, the temperature distributions of AR-CCPC surfaces and the assembled solar cell were simulated based on those heat flux boundary conditions. It shows that the adding of thermal absorbent surface can apparently increase the wall temperature.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication11th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2015
EditorsGerald Siefer, Mathieu Baudrit, Ignacio Anton
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9780735413269
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Sep 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event11th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2015 - Aix-les-Bains, France
Duration: 13 Apr 201515 Apr 2015

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1679
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference11th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2015
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityAix-les-Bains
Period13/04/1515/04/15

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