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

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.

[1]  R. A. Rahim,et al.  Role of feed-in tariff policy in promoting solar photovoltaic investments in Malaysia: A system dynamics approach , 2015 .

[2]  Tapas K. Mallick,et al.  Optimisation of the performance of a novel rotationally asymmetrical optical concentrator design for building integrated photovoltaic system , 2015, Energy.

[3]  R. Margolis,et al.  A wafer-based monocrystalline silicon photovoltaics road map: Utilizing known technology improvement opportunities for further reductions in manufacturing costs , 2013 .

[4]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Mirror symmetrical dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator for building integrated photovoltaic systems , 2014 .

[5]  J. Huenteler.  International Support for Feed-In Tariffs in Developing Countries – A Review and Analysis of Proposed Mechanisms , 2014 .

[6]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Optimised Dielectric Totally Internally Reflecting Concentrator for the Solar Photonic Optoelectronic Transformer System: Maximum Concentration Method , 2010, KES.

[7]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Solar photovoltaic in Malaysia: The way forward , 2012 .

[8]  Tapas K. Mallick,et al.  Design, development and indoor performance analysis of a low concentrating dielectric photovoltaic module , 2014 .

[9]  Wen-Tien Tsai.  Feed-in tariff promotion and innovative measures for renewable electricity: Taiwan case analysis , 2014 .

[10]  Cristobal Gallego-Castillo,et al.  Cost-free feed-in tariffs for renewable energy deployment in Spain , 2015 .

[11]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Performance analysis of a mirror symmetrical dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrator for building integrated photovoltaic systems , 2013 .

[12]  Volker Quaschning,et al.  Understanding renewable energy systems , 2005 .

[13]  Natarajan Sendhil Kumar,et al.  Experimental validation of a heat transfer model for concentrating photovoltaic system , 2012 .

[14]  Marc A. Rosen,et al.  A critical review of photovoltaic–thermal solar collectors for air heating , 2011 .

[15]  Michael D. Kempe,et al.  Accelerated UV test methods and selection criteria for encapsulants of photovoltaic modules , 2008, 2008 33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.

[16]  Nabin Sarmah,et al.  Design and performance evaluation of a low concentrating line-axis dielectric photovoltaic system , 2012 .

[17]  Nazmi Sellami,et al.  Design and characterisation of a novel translucent solar concentrator , 2013 .

[18]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Optimisation of concentrator in the solar photonic optoelectronic transformer: comparison of geometrical performance and cost of implementation , 2011 .

[19]  Tapas K. Mallick,et al.  Performance analysis of a reflective 3D crossed compound parabolic concentrating photovoltaic system for building façade integration , 2012 .

[20]  N. B. Goodman,et al.  Solid-dielectric compound parabolic concentrators: on their use with photovoltaic devices. , 1976, Applied optics.

[21]  E. Telaretti,et al.  An analysis of feed’in tariffs for solar PV in six representative countries of the European Union , 2014 .

[22]  Mark Hankins.  Stand-alone Solar Electric Systems: The Earthscan Expert Handbook for Planning, Design and Installation , 2010 .

[23]  Roland Winston,et al.  High Collection Nonimaging Optics , 1989, Other Conferences.

[24]  Yuehong Su,et al.  Preliminary Ray Tracing and Experimental Study on the Effect of Mirror Coating on the Optical Efficiency of a Solid Dielectric Compound Parabolic Concentrator , 2012 .

[25]  R Winston,et al.  Dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrators. , 1987, Applied optics.

[26]  Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki,et al.  Rotationally asymmetrical compound parabolic concentrator for concentrating photovoltaic applications , 2014 .