Numerical Assessment of the Thermal Efficiency of a Concentrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (CPV/T) Hybrid System Using Air as Heat Transfer Fluid

In this paper, we propose a thermal model of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal concentration system. Starting from the thermal balance of the model, the equation is solved and simulated with a MATLAB code, considering air as the cooling fluid. This enabled us to evaluate some of the parameters influencing the electrical and thermal performance of this device. The results showed that the temperature, thermal efficiency and electrical efficiency delivered depend on the air mass flow rate. The electrical and thermal efficiencies for different values of air mass flow are encouraging, and demonstrate the benefits of cooling photovoltaic cells. The results show that thermal efficiency decreases air flow rate greater than 0.7 kg/s, whatever the value of the light concentration used. The thermal efficiency of the solar cell increases as the light concentration increases, whatever the air flow rate used. For a concentration equal to 30 sun, the thermal efficiency is 0.16 with an air flow rate equal to 0.005 kg/s;the thermal efficiency increases to 0.19 with an air flow rate equal to 0.1 kg/s at the same concentration. An interesting and useful finding was that the proposed numerical model allows the determination of the electrical as well as thermal efficiency of the hybrid CPV/T with air flow as cooling fluid.

Assessment of High Concentrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector in Hot Climate

This work investigates the performance of combined hybrid high concentrated photovoltaic/thermal collector (HCPV/T) in Kuwait harsh climate. The proposed system consists of triple junction solar cells (InGaP/InGaAs/Ge) attached to heat source to discharge thermal energy to cooling media. Published HCPV/T models do not consider the effect of shunt resistance which greatly affects the system performance. So, a single diode model employing five parameters including the effect of shunt resistance is adapted to analyze the proposed system. To analyze the thermal performance of the proposed system, a two-dimensional thermal model based on the technique of finite difference is introduced to determine the efficiency of the hybrid HCPV/T system. The present developed subroutines are integrated with other involved codes in TRNSYS software to calculate HCPV/T system efficiency. Electrical and thermal as well as the whole system efficiency at different weather circumstances are evaluated and assessed. The effect of different weather conditions, cell temperature, concentration ratio and the temperatures of the coolant fluid on system performance are studied. Current results indicate that the model of single diode is a reliable one rather than using the two-diode complex model. Compared to measurements provided by high concentrated PV manufacturer, the current results revealed a total root mean square error of approximately 1.94%. Present predictions show that PV cell temperature has logarithmic increase with the rise in concentration ratio but with low values till concentration ratio of 400 suns after that the rise is faster at higher concentration values up to 1500 suns. Results also revealed that hybrid HCPV/T system works effectively specially in severe hot climate where thermal efficiency increases with high surrounding temperature for higher values of concentration ratio. In addition, an increase of approximately 15% in thermal efficiency and 10% in total efficiency can be achieved by utilizing active cooling device in HCPV/T system.

Environmental Impacts of Grid Connected High Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems Adapted for Peak Load Minimization in Hot Climate

High concentrated PV multi-junction solar cells (HCPV) likely present a favorable alternative to achieve low cost of energy. However, multi-junction solar cell has different characteristics which should be settled before they can be adapted for large scale energy generation. Peak energy consumption in Kuwait usually occurs in periods of utilizing air conditioning systems which are essentially used in almost all year around in harsh climate like Kuwait. Power consumed at peak times is more costly than power needed to satisfy loads at regular consumption times. The main goal of the present research is to increase HCPV solar cells’ efficiency, to decrease maximum power cost in Kuwait. Multi-junction solar cells performance in weather conditions of Kuwait is investigated employing a single diode equivalent circuit model. The model developed considers the impacts of concentration ratio as well as temperature. Most research in literature review usually neglects shunt resistance of the diode, however this resistance is taken into consideration in current developed theoretical model. To calibrate the present model, current predictions are compared with corresponding measured data provided by multi-junction solar cell manufacturer. The total root mean square errors in the present model predictions are about 1.8%. This means that current developed model of single diode model which takes into account shunt resistance impacts gives precise and reliable data. HCP electrical efficiency is noticed to rise as concentration increases but to a certain concentration value, then it begins to decrease. In addition, utilizing HCPV linked to grid satisfies great decrease in maximum load. Power produced from HCPV modules is utilized to provide energy needs to a family in normal Kuwaiti family home to evaluate HCPV environmental effects. HCPV modules slopes and areas are changed to accomplish peak energy production all over the year. Present results reveal that optimum power production corresponds to HCPV modules directed to south and having latitude of 25°. In addition, employing HCPV modules can avoid approximately 1.55 ton of emitted CO2 per year. In conclusion, current work reveals the advantage impacts of grid connected HCPV in Kuwait weather.

Design of Reflective Concentrator Model with Application for Concentrator Photovoltaic System

The nonuniform irradiation in the standard photovoltaic（PV） cells causes their relatively high series resistance,which results in a considerably lowered efficiency of PV cells.Currently the concentrator of uniform irradiation designed for concentrator photovoltaic is rare in China and lack sufficient theoretical research.In this paper,a systematic research on the solar reflective concentrator is conducted.A novel structure for a solar reflective concentrator is designed with the application of a flat mirror matrix to concentrate the sunlight for concentrator photovoltaic（CPV） systems.Sunlight beams are focused through the reflection of the mirror array on the solar cell to generate electricity.The concentrator is capable of producing much more uniform sunlight with a certain concentration ratio.The design scheme includes laying out the flat mirrors,optimizing the optical pathway and the parameters of each mirror.The prototype of the CPV system was installed at Nanjing,China.In the configuration of the prototype,it is composed of 24 pieces parallelogram flat mirrors,which are arranged into a total reflective array of 5 rows and 5 columns.In comparison with the parabolic trough concentrator,the experimental measurements verify such design has high efficiency.The concentrator model of a flat mirror matrix and the proposed new design method will lay a solid foundation for designing the concentrator of uniform irradiation.

Polymer Fiber Rigid Network with High Glass Transition Temperature Reinforces Stability of Organic Photovoltaics

Organic photovoltaics(OPVs)need to overcome limitations such as insufficient thermal stability to be commercialized.The reported approaches to improve stability either rely on the development of new materials or on tailoring the donor/acceptor morphology,however,exhibiting limited applicability.Therefore,it is timely to develop an easy method to enhance thermal stability without having to develop new donor/acceptor materials or donor–acceptor compatibilizers,or by introducing another third component.Herein,a unique approach is presented,based on constructing a polymer fiber rigid network with a high glass transition temperature(T_(g))to impede the movement of acceptor and donor molecules,to immobilize the active layer morphology,and thereby to improve thermal stability.A high-T_(g) one-dimensional aramid nanofiber(ANF)is utilized for network construction.Inverted OPVs with ANF network yield superior thermal stability compared to the ANF-free counterpart.The ANF network-incorporated active layer demonstrates significantly more stable morphology than the ANF-free counterpart,thereby leaving fundamental processes such as charge separation,transport,and collection,determining the device efficiency,largely unaltered.This strategy is also successfully applied to other photovoltaic systems.The strategy of incorporating a polymer fiber rigid network with high T_(g) offers a distinct perspective addressing the challenge of thermal instability with simplicity and universality.

Natural gas pyrolysis in double-walled reactor tubes using thermal plasma or concentrated solar radiation as external heating source

The thermal pyrolysis of natural gas as a clean hydrogen production route is examined. The concept of a double-walled reactor tube is proposed and implemented. Preliminary experiments using an external plasma heating source are carried out to validate this concept. The results point out the efficient CH4 dissociation above 1850 K （CH4 conversion over 90%） and the key influence of the gas residence time. Simulations are performed to predict the conversion rate of CH4 at the reactor outlet, and are consistent with experimental tendencies. A solar reactor prototype featuring four independent double-walled tubes is then developed. The heat in high temperature process required for the endothermic reaction of natural gas pyrolysis is supplied by concentrated solar energy. The tubes are heated uniformly by radiation using the blackbody effect of a cavity-receiver absorbing the concentrated solar irradiation through a quartz window. The gas composition at the reactor outlet, the chemical conversion of CH4, and the yield to H2 are determined with respect to reaction temperature, inlet gas flow-rates, and feed gas composition. The longer the gas residence time, the higher the CH4 conversion and H2 yield, whereas the lower the amount of acetylene. A CH4 conversion of 99% and H2 yield of about 85% are measured at 1880 K with 30% CH4 in the feed gas （6 L/min injected and residence time of 18 ms）, A temperature increase from 1870 K to 1970 K does not improve the H2 yield.

High-temperature Thermal Properties and Wear Behavior of Basalt as Heat Storage Material for Concentrated Solar Power Plants

The microstructures,components,thermal stability,specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of basalt sample were studied.Besides,as a comprehensive result of thermal expansion and contraction process,both the friction coefficient and wear rate of the basalt sample were also characterized.Our results indicate that basalt is an excellent candidate to be used as thermal energy storage material for concentrated solar power plants,and also provide a strategy for solar energy utilization in volcanic area with excellent geographical environment.

Spectrum-Splitting Diffractive Optical Element of High Concentration Factor and High Optical Efficiency for Three-Junction Photovoltaics

A spectrum-splitting and beam-concentrating （SSBC） diffractive optical element （DOE） for three-junction pho- tovoltaics （PV） system is designed and fabricated by five-circ/e micro-fabrication. The incident solar light is efficiently split into three sub-spectrum ranges and strongly concentrated on the focal plane, which can be di- rectly utilized by suitable spectrum-matching solar cells. The system concentration factor reaches 12x. Moreover, the designed wavelengths （450nm, 550nm and 65Onto） are spatially distributed on the focal plane, in good agree- ment with the theoretical results. The average optical effic/ency of all the cells over the three designed wavelengths is 60.07%. The SSBC DOE with a high concentration factor and a high optical efficiency provides a cost-effective approach to achieve higher PV conversion efficieneies.

Energy and Life Cycle Assessment of Zinc/Water Nanofluid Based Photovoltaic Thermal System

Cooling the PV surface in a Photovoltaic Thermal system is a pivotal operational aspect to be taken into account to achieve optimized values of performance parameters in a Photovoltaic Thermal System.The experimental design used in this study facilitates the flow of varying concentrations of Zn-water nanofluid in serpentine copper tubing installed at the rear of the PV panel thereby preventing the PV surface temperature from increasing beyond the threshold value at which a decrease in electrical efficiency starts to occur.This fusion of solar thermal with PV devices leads to better electrical and thermal efficiency values resulting in decreased cell degradation over time and maximization of the lifespan of the PV module and the energy output from the PV system.Due to the superior thermal heat properties of nanofluids,their usage in such systems has become increasingly widespread.Life cycle metrics which include Energy Payback period,Energy Production Factor and life cycle conversion efficiency were evaluated for the PVT system by exhaustively chalking fundamental parameters such as embodied energy of the PVT setup and the total energy output from the PVT system.This research aims to be a major milestone in the evolutionary journey of Photovoltaic Thermal modules by guiding the engineers working on the theory,design and implementation of PVT systems towards its economic feasibility,environmental impact and energy sustainability.

Performance on Power,Hot and Cold Water Generation of a Hybrid Photovoltaic Thermal Module

This paper proposed a new function of photovoltaic thermal(PVT)module to produce nocturnal cool water not just only generating electrical power and hot water during daytime.Experimental tests were carried out under Chiang Mai tropical climate with a 200 Wp monocrystalline PVT module having dimensions of 1.601 m×0.828 m connected with two water tanks each of 60 L taken for hot and cool water storages.The module was facing south with 18o inclination.The electrical load was a 200 W halogen lamp.From experiments,by taking the module as a nocturnal radiative cooling surface,the cool water temperature in the cool storage tank could be reduced 2℃–3℃each night and the temperature could be reduced from 31.5℃to 22.1℃within 4 consecutive days.The cool water at approximately 23℃was also used to cool down the PVT module from noon when the PVT module temperature was rather high,and then the module temperature immediately dropped around 5℃and approximately 10%increase of electrical power could be achieved.A set of mathematical models was also developed to predict the PVT module temperature and the hot water temperature including the cool water temperature in the storage tanks during daytime and nighttime.The simulated results agreed well with the experimental data.

Thin Film Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Panels

A solar panel is described,in which thin films of semiconductor are deposited onto a metal substrate.The semiconductor-metal combination forms a thin film photovoltaic cell,and also acts as a reflector-absorber tandem,which acts as a solar selective surface,thus enhancing the solar thermal performance of the collector plate.The use of thin films reduces the distance heat is required to flow from the absorbing surface to the metal plate and heat exchange conduits.Computer modelling demonstrated that,by suitable choice of materials,photovoltaic efficiency can be maintained,with thermal performance slightly reduced,compared to that for thermal-only panels.By grading the absorber layer-to reduce the band gap in the lower region-the thermal performance can be improved,approaching that for a thermal-only solar panel.

Contrastive Observation of Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Resource

Solar thermal and photovoltaic applications are the most w idely used and the most successful w ay of commercial development in solar energy applications. Observation and assessment of solar thermal and photovoltaic resources are the basis and key of their large-scale development and utilization. Using the observational data carried out from Beijing southern suburbs observation station of China M eteorological Administration in summer of 2009,preliminary solar thermal and photovoltaic resources characteristics for different w eather conditions,different angle and different directions are analyzed. The results show that:(1) In sunny,cloudy or rainy w eather conditions,both of solar thermal and photovoltaic sensors daily irradiance have consistent change in trend. Solar thermal irradiance is larger than photovoltaic. Under sunny conditions,solar thermal global radiation has about 2.7%higher than the photovoltaic global radiation. Under cloudy w eather conditions,solar thermal global radiation has about 3. 9%higher than the photovoltaic. Under rainy w eather conditions,solar thermal global radiation has about 20% higher than the photovoltaic.(2) For different inclined plane daily global radiation,southern latitude-15 °incline is the maximum and southern vertical surface is the minimum. The order from large to small is southern latitude-15 ° incline,southern latitude incline,southern latitude+15 °incline,horizontal surface and southern vertical surface. Southern latitude-15 °incline global radiation has about 41% higher than the southern vertical surface.(3) For different orientation vertical surface daily global radiation,southern vertical surface is the maximum and w estern vertical surface is the minimum,w hich eastern vertical surface is in the middle. Southern vertical surface global radiation has about 20% higher than the w estern vertical surface.

Performance Improving of a Concentrating Photovoltaic System by Using a New Optical Adhesive

The objective of this present study is to manufacture a new silicone-based adhesive which is used for gluing and bonding the second optical elements (SOE) with Concentrating Photovoltaic solar cell (CPV) in order to guarantee a thickness that can provide a good silicone adherence to obtain long term stability and keeping a good solar transmittance performance, too. This new adhesive is made up of a mixture of silicone and transparent glass balls. The experimental part consists of the choice of the best size of glass balls with the suitable proportion of the glass balls weight in the mixture. For this purpose, ten samples were manufactured for every category of glass balls and weight ratio. Glass ball sizes between 100 and 1100 μm, and weight ratios between 1 and 10% were analyzed. For each category of glass balls, four proportions were mixed with the silicone. The thicknesses and transmittance of every sample were measured with appropriate instruments. The experimental results illustrate that the mixture containing balls with sizes inferior to 106 μm, is the best mixture which assures adhesive minimum thickness value necessary for an efficient mechanical bond and preserves also a good transmittance of solar irradiance.

Recent Advances to Understand Morphology Stability of Organic Photovoltaics

Organic photovoltaic devices are on the verge of commercialization with power conversion efficiencies exceeding 10 % in laboratory cells and above 8.5 % in modules. However, one of the main limitations hindering their mass scale production is the debatable inferior stability of organic photovoltaic devices in comparison to other technologies.Adequate donor/acceptor morphology of the active layer is required to provide carrier separation and transport to the electrodes. Unfortunately, the beneficial morphology for device performance is usually a kinetically frozen state which has not reached thermodynamic equilibrium. During the last 5 years, special efforts have been dedicated to isolate the effects related to morphology changes taking place within the active layer and compare to those affecting the interfaces with the external electrodes. The current review discusses some of the factors affecting the donor/acceptor morphology evolution as one of the major intrinsic degradation pathways. Special attention is paid to factors in the nano- and microscale domain.For example, phase segregation of the polymer and fullerene domains due to Ostwald ripening is a major factor in the microscale domain and is affected by the presence of additives, glass transition temperature of the polymers or use of crosslinkers in the active layer. Alternatively, the role of vertical segregation profile toward the external electrodes is key for device operation, being a clear case of nanoscale morphology evolution. For example, donor and acceptor molecules actually present at the external interfaces will determine the leakage current of the device, energy-level alignment, and interfacial recombination processes. Different techniques have been developed over the last few years to understand its relationship with the device efficiency. Of special interest are those techniques which enable in situ analysis being nondestructive as they can be used to study accelerated degradation experiments and some will be discussed here.

Progress in Research and Development of Molten Chloride Salt Technology for Next Generation Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Concentrated solar power(CSP)plants with thermal energy storage(TES)system are emerging as one kind of the most promising power plants in the future renewable energy system,since they can supply dispatchable and low-cost electricity with abundant but intermittent solar energy.In order to significantly reduce the levelized cost of electricity(LCOE)of the present commercial CSP plants,the next generation CSP technology with higher process temperature and energy efficiency is being developed.The TES system in the next generation CSP plants works with new TES materials at higher temperatures(>565℃)compared to that with the commercial nitrate salt mixtures.This paper reviews recent progressin research and development of the next generation CSP and TES technology.Emphasis is given on theadvanced'TES technology based on molten chloride salt mixtures such as MgCl_(2)/NaCl/KCl which hassimilar thermo-physical properties as the commercial nitrate salt mixtures,higher thermal stability(>800℃),and lower costs(<0.35USD·kg^(-1)).Recent progress in the selection/optimization of chloridesalts,determination of molten chloride salt properties,and corrosion control of construction materials(eg.,alloys)in molten chlorides is reviewed.

Hybrid Effects of Thermal and Concentration Convection on Peristaltic Flow of Fourth Grade Nanofluids in an Inclined Tapered Channel: Applications of Double-Diffusivity

This article brings into focus the hybrid effects of thermal and concentration convection on peristaltic pumping of fourth grade nanofluids in an inclined tapered channel.First,the brief mathematical modelling of the fourth grade nanofluids is provided along with thermal and concentration convection.The Lubrication method is used to simplify the partial differential equations which are tremendously nonlinear.Further,analytical technique is applied to solve the differential equations that are strongly nonlinear in nature,and exact solutions of temperature,volume fraction of nanoparticles,and concentration are studied.Numerical and graphical findings manifest the influence of various physical flow-quantity parameters.It is observed that the nanoparticle fraction decreases because of the increasing values of Brownian motion parameter and Dufour parameter,whereas the behaviour of nanoparticle fraction is quite opposite for thermophoresis parameter.It is also noted that the temperature profile decreases with increasing Brownian motion parameter values and rises with Dufour parameter values.Moreover,the concentration profile ascends with increasing thermophoresis parameter and Soret parameter values.

Thermal and concentration analysis of Phan-Thien-Tanner fluid flow due to ciliary movement in a peripheral layer

This paper presents the analysis of two-layer cilia induced flow of Phan-Thien-Tanner(PTT) fluid with thermal and concentration effect.The Phan-Thien-Tanner fluid model has been used in the analogy of mucus present in the respiratory tract.The two-layer model approach was used due to the Peri Ciliary liquid Layer(PCL) and Airway Ciliary Layer(ACL) present on the epithelium cell in respiratory tract.The mathematical modelling of two-layer flow problem was simplified using long wavelength and small Reynold ’ s number approximation.The resulting differential equation with moving boundary gives exact solution for velocity,temperature and concentration profiles in two layers.The change in pressure has calculated by the results of velocity profile,also the pressure rise was evaluated by the numerical integration of pressure gradient along the channel wall.The impact of physical parameters on pressure rise,velocity,temperature and concentration profile was explained by the graphs.It can be seen from graphs that velocity and temperature profile are maximum in the inner layer of fluid(PCL) and concentration profile is maximum at outer layers of fluid(ACL).

Analysis on Thermal Environment of Underlying Surface and PM2.5 Concentration in Community Park of Beijing in Winter

Community park is one of the most important landscape spaces for urban people to live outdoors,and people’s perception of environmental microclimate is a direct factor affecting the use frequency and experience of community parks.In this paper,Shijingshan Sculpture Park of Beijing was taken as experimental object.Using the method of fi eld measurement,9-d winter test for 3 months was conducted in three kinds of landscape architecture spaces,including waterfront plaza,open green space and square under the forest.Via regression analysis method,the measured air temperature(Ta),relative humidity of air(RH),particulate matter(PM2.5)were analyzed.It is found that winter sunshine is main infl uence factor of garden microclimate,and there is a negative correlation between local temperature and humidity;local temperature and humidity can regulate the local PM2.5 concentration,and temperature shows negative correlation with PM2.5 concentration,while humidity shows positive correlation with PM2.5 concentration.Meanwhile,via comparative analysis of temperature,humidity and PM2.5 concentration in different types of garden spaces,the infl uence of different space forms,planting forms and materials on thermal environment of underlying surface and PM2.5 concentration was summarized,and design strategy was optimized,to be as benefi cial reference of reconstruction design of community parks.

Concentration and Temperature Dependence of Electrical Conductivity in Thermally Stable Chromium Polyacrylate

Electrical conductivity of chromium polyacrylate with dopant concentration 30, 40 and 50 wt-% of chromium has been measured over a broad range of temperatures (303 K to 383 K).The electrical conductivity shows dependence on temperature, as well as, level of doping. The conductivity is considered to be due to thermal hopping motion of localized charge carriers,which are believed to be polarons, in the temperature range 303 K to 323 K and for T>343 K,whereas. it is metal-like in the temperature range 323 K to 343 K

Correlation between the Low-Temperature Photoluminescence Spectra and Photovoltaic Properties of Thin Polycrystalline CdTe Films

A dominant intrinsic luminescence band, which is due to the surface potential barriers of crystalline grains, and an edge doublet, which arises as an LO-phonon repetition of the e-h band, has been revealed in the low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of fine-grained obliquely deposited films. Doping film with In impurity leads to quenching of the doublet band, while further thermal treatment causes activation of the intrinsic band, the half-width and the blue shift of the red edge of which correlates with the maximum value of anomalously high photovoltage generated by the film.