Design and thermodynamic analysis of an innovative hybrid solar PV-CT system with multi-segment PV panels. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Gang; Yao, Yubo; Wang, Botong; Hu, Peng
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 37(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Solar energy -- PV-CT system -- SBS -- Multi-segment PV panel -- Thermodynamic analysis; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2020.100631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Highlights: An innovative hybrid solar PV-concentrated thermal system is proposed. Beam splitting technology and multi-segment PV cells are used by the PV-CT system. Thermodynamic analysis of the innovative PV-CT system is conducted. Abstract: This study presents an innovative hybrid solar photovoltaic-concentrated thermal (PV-CT) system. The layout and design method of the PV-CT system are provided. The multi-segment PV panels coupled with spectral beam splitters (SBSs) are used as the solar concentrator for the solar thermal collector in this PV-CT system. The multi-layer film-based SBS is designed. The solar concentration processes and optical performances of the proposed PV-CT system under different deviation angles of incident sunlight are investigated by using the ray tracing method. The results demonstrate that the overall optical efficiency of the PV-CT system is 93.8% as the deviation angle of incident sunlight is increased to 1.0°. The influences of thermal collector height and diameter on the concentrated solar performance of the PV-CT system are also evaluated. The results demonstrate that in order to obtain a radiation receiving efficiency which is greater than or equal to 95.0%, the installation height range of thermal receiver tube should be in 978.0–1022.0 mm and the installation error must not exceed 22.0 mm. The thermodynamic analysis results reveal that the optimal operation temperature of thermal receiver collector is 274.0 °C, which can result in the maximum total output power of the PV-CT system.