Open AccessPerformance of a dielectric PVT concentrator for building-façade integration
Author(s) -
Alberto Riverola,
Álex Moreno,
Daniel Chemisana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.00a892
Subject(s) - optics , concentrator , materials science , nonimaging optics , irradiance , dielectric , reflection coefficient , attenuation coefficient , refractive index , cylinder , photovoltaic system , facade , optoelectronics , fresnel equations , thermal , schlieren , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , physics , meteorology , engineering , structural engineering
Concentrating photovoltaic-thermal (CPVT) systems, which can be integrated on buildings façades and use low-accuracy trackers and standard cells, have the potential to produce cost-effective electricity and heat. In this paper, a refractive cylindrical CPVT module with cells directly immersed in deionized water (DIW) or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is designed, fabricated and experimentally tested. The interfaces between the cylinder and the fluids cavity have been optimized to maximize optical efficiency and irradiance uniformity, obtaining better results for a geometric concentration of 10x and IPA. The system achieves an optical efficiency of 81%, an acceptance angle of 1.07° and a non-uniformity coefficient of 0.13.