Dense-array concentrator photovoltaic prototype using non-imaging dish concentrator and an array of cross compound parabolic concentrators

Abstract In this paper, we would like to report on a prototype of dense array concentrator photovoltaic (DACPV) system including the practical implementation and economic assessment. The newly proposed system consists of primary concentrator in the form of non-imaging dish concentrator and secondary concentrator as an array of dielectric filled crossed compound parabolic concentrators coupled to multi-junction solar cells. Optical and electrical simulations have been carried out to analyze the overall performance of the prototype for difference rim angles and tracking accuracies. A special method has been developed to plot the I-V and P-V curves of the prototype on-site without using commercial I-V tracer. The average cell efficiencies for all basic modules in the DACPV receiver were measured onsite in the range from 35.0% to 36.1%, which is very close to the laboratory test result conducted by Spectrolab at 38.5%. On the other hand, the system efficiency of our prototype system was measured only in the range between 16.1% and 17.4% at DNI ranging from 740 to 801 W/m2. For economic analysis, the cost per watt of current prototype has been determined as USD 5.8/W based on the price of only building one unit. The techno-economic of DACPV system can be further improved in the future by increasing solar concentrator ratio more than 1600 suns and reducing the optical losses incurred by the secondary concentrator.