IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v160y2015icp687-696.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance analysis of two 3.5kWp CPV systems under real operating conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Renzi, M.
  • Egidi, L.
  • Comodi, G.

Abstract

The paper presents the preliminary operational performance results of the of two 3.5kWp Concentration PhotoVoltaic (CPV) devices. Each system consists of eight modules installed on a chassis for a total number of 1152 triple junction PV cells whose active area is 5.5×5.5mm. The optics has a total geometrical concentration ratio of 476×. Two solutions for the primary PMMA Fresnel lens were tested, one with constant Fresnel pitch and one with variable pitch. The secondary optics is the same for both systems and consists of a truncated pyramid made of high reflective material. The two-axis tracking system is an azimuth-elevation device driven by two electrical motors and controlled by a sun sensor. Results allow to evaluate the efficiency of the plant as well as significant operational parameters under real outdoor operating conditions. The overall AC electrical efficiency is up to 31% and the power production peak is 2.54kW. Electric power output has a linear dependency with the available Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) while the Air Mass (AM) spectrum has a negligible effect on the performance. The system equipped with a variable pitch Fresnel lens performs slightly better (about 3.5% more power) with respect to the one with a constant pitch. The effect of lens fouling has a much higher impact: with a dirty lens the system generates over 12% less power and efficiency decreases by 3–5%, at equal solar irradiation. The performance ratio of the CPV system peaked at 82% and it has a monthly value over 70% in spring and summer months. The tracking mechanism has showed, in the worst scenario, an inaccuracy of 0.26° which is lower than the acceptance angle of the optics (0.4°).

Suggested Citation

  • Renzi, M. & Egidi, L. & Comodi, G., 2015. "Performance analysis of two 3.5kWp CPV systems under real operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 687-696.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:160:y:2015:i:c:p:687-696
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.08.096
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261915010326
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.08.096?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cañete, Cristina & Carretero, Jesús & Sidrach-de-Cardona, Mariano, 2014. "Energy performance of different photovoltaic module technologies under outdoor conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 295-302.
    2. Hernandez, J. & Gordillo, G. & Vallejo, W., 2013. "Predicting the behavior of a grid-connected photovoltaic system from measurements of solar radiation and ambient temperature," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 527-537.
    3. Pérez-Higueras, P. & Muñoz, E. & Almonacid, G. & Vidal, P.G., 2011. "High Concentrator PhotoVoltaics efficiencies: Present status and forecast," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 1810-1815, May.
    4. Lee, Chung-Jui & Lin, Jen-Fin, 2012. "High-efficiency concentrated optical module," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 593-603.
    5. Kribus, Abraham & Vishnevetsky, Irina & Yogev, Amnon & Rubinov, Tatiana, 2004. "Closed loop control of heliostats," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 905-913.
    6. Kumar, Vinod & Shrivastava, R.L. & Untawale, S.P., 2015. "Fresnel lens: A promising alternative of reflectors in concentrated solar power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 376-390.
    7. Menoufi, Karim & Chemisana, Daniel & Rosell, Joan I., 2013. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Building Integrated Concentrated Photovoltaic scheme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 505-514.
    8. Sarasa-Maestro, Carlos J. & Dufo-López, Rodolfo & Bernal-Agustín, José L., 2013. "Photovoltaic remuneration policies in the European Union," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 317-328.
    9. Talavera, D.L. & Pérez-Higueras, P. & Ruíz-Arias, J.A. & Fernández, E.F., 2015. "Levelised cost of electricity in high concentrated photovoltaic grid connected systems: Spatial analysis of Spain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 49-59.
    10. Branker, K. & Pathak, M.J.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4470-4482.
    11. Baig, Hasan & Heasman, Keith C. & Mallick, Tapas K., 2012. "Non-uniform illumination in concentrating solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5890-5909.
    12. García-Domingo, B. & Aguilera, J. & de la Casa, J. & Fuentes, M., 2014. "Modelling the influence of atmospheric conditions on the outdoor real performance of a CPV (Concentrated Photovoltaic) module," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 239-250.
    13. Mousazadeh, Hossein & Keyhani, Alireza & Javadi, Arzhang & Mobli, Hossein & Abrinia, Karen & Sharifi, Ahmad, 2009. "A review of principle and sun-tracking methods for maximizing solar systems output," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 1800-1818, October.
    14. Bahaidarah, H. & Subhan, Abdul & Gandhidasan, P. & Rehman, S., 2013. "Performance evaluation of a PV (photovoltaic) module by back surface water cooling for hot climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 445-453.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Conceição, Ricardo & González-Aguilar, José & Merrouni, Ahmed Alami & Romero, Manuel, 2022. "Soiling effect in solar energy conversion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    2. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Talavera, D.L. & Almonacid, Florencia M. & Smestad, Greg P., 2016. "Investigating the impact of weather variables on the energy yield and cost of energy of grid-connected solar concentrator systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 790-801.
    3. Rodrigo, P. & Velázquez, Ramiro & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2016. "Analysis of electrical mismatches in high-concentrator photovoltaic power plants with distributed inverter configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 374-387.
    4. Daneshazarian, Reza & Cuce, Erdem & Cuce, Pinar Mert & Sher, Farooq, 2018. "Concentrating photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) collectors and systems: Theory, performance assessment and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 473-492.
    5. Moreno, A. & Chemisana, D. & Fernández, E.F., 2021. "Hybrid high-concentration photovoltaic-thermal solar systems for building applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    6. Dimitrios N. Korres & Theodoros Papingiotis & Irene Koronaki & Christos Tzivanidis, 2023. "Thermal and Optical Analyses of a Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Collector with Asymmetric Reflector: Numerical Modeling and Validation with Experimental Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    7. Henrik Zsiborács & Attila Bai & József Popp & Zoltán Gabnai & Béla Pályi & István Farkas & Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai & Mihály Veszelka & László Zentkó & Gábor Pintér, 2018. "Change of Real and Simulated Energy Production of Certain Photovoltaic Technologies in Relation to Orientation, Tilt Angle and Dual-Axis Sun-Tracking. A Case Study in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    8. Renzi, Massimiliano & Cioccolanti, Luca & Barazza, Giorgio & Egidi, Lorenzo & Comodi, Gabriele, 2017. "Design and experimental test of refractive secondary optics on the electrical performance of a 3-junction cell used in CPV systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 233-243.
    9. Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Tabasi, Sanaz & Ghaderian, Javad & Yousefi, Hossein, 2018. "A review on parabolic trough/Fresnel based photovoltaic thermal systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 193-204.
    10. Chong, Kok-Keong & Yew, Tiong-Keat & Wong, Chee-Woon & Tan, Ming-Hui & Tan, Woei-Chong & Lim, Boon-Han, 2017. "Dense-array concentrator photovoltaic prototype using non-imaging dish concentrator and an array of cross compound parabolic concentrators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 898-911.
    11. Liang, Kai & Zhang, Heng & Chen, Haiping & Gao, Dan & Liu, Yang, 2021. "Design and test of an annular fresnel solar concentrator to obtain a high-concentration solar energy flux," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    12. Han, Xue & Zhao, Guankun & Xu, Chao & Ju, Xing & Du, Xiaoze & Yang, Yongping, 2017. "Parametric analysis of a hybrid solar concentrating photovoltaic/concentrating solar power (CPV/CSP) system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 520-533.
    13. Aqachmar, Zineb & Campana, Pietro Elia & Bouhal, Tarik & El Qarnia, Hamid & Outzourhit, Abdelkader & Alami Ibnouelghazi, El & Mouak, Said & Aqachmar, Atman, 2022. "Electrification of Africa through CPV installations in small-scale industrial applications: Energetic, economic, and environmental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 723-746.
    14. Abo-Zahhad, Essam M. & Ookawara, Shinichi & Radwan, Ali & El-Shazly, A.H. & Elkady, M.F., 2019. "Numerical analyses of hybrid jet impingement/microchannel cooling device for thermal management of high concentrator triple-junction solar cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    15. Sato, Daisuke & Yamagata, Yuki & Hirata, Kenji & Yamada, Noboru, 2020. "Mathematical power-generation model of a four-terminal partial concentrator photovoltaic module for optimal sun-tracking strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    16. Zhu, Yizhou & Ma, Benchi & He, Baichuan & Ma, Xinyu & Jing, Dengwei, 2023. "Liquid spherical lens as an effective auxiliary optical unit for CPV/T system with remarkable hydrogen production efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Renzi, Massimiliano & Cioccolanti, Luca & Barazza, Giorgio & Egidi, Lorenzo & Comodi, Gabriele, 2017. "Design and experimental test of refractive secondary optics on the electrical performance of a 3-junction cell used in CPV systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 233-243.
    2. Li, Guiqiang & Xuan, Qingdong & Pei, Gang & Su, Yuehong & Ji, Jie, 2018. "Effect of non-uniform illumination and temperature distribution on concentrating solar cell - A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1119-1136.
    3. Almonacid, Florencia & Fernandez, Eduardo F. & Mellit, Adel & Kalogirou, Soteris, 2017. "Review of techniques based on artificial neural networks for the electrical characterization of concentrator photovoltaic technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 938-953.
    4. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, Florencia & Soria-Moya, Alberto & Terrados, Julio, 2015. "Experimental analysis of the spectral factor for quantifying the spectral influence on concentrator photovoltaic systems under real operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1878-1886.
    5. Sharaf, Omar Z. & Orhan, Mehmet F., 2015. "Concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) solar collector systems: Part I – Fundamentals, design considerations and current technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1500-1565.
    6. Orioli, Aldo & Di Gangi, Alessandra, 2015. "The recent change in the Italian policies for photovoltaics: Effects on the payback period and levelized cost of electricity of grid-connected photovoltaic systems installed in urban contexts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 1989-2005.
    7. Shanks, Katie & Senthilarasu, S. & Mallick, Tapas K., 2016. "Optics for concentrating photovoltaics: Trends, limits and opportunities for materials and design," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 394-407.
    8. Amanlou, Yasaman & Hashjin, Teymour Tavakoli & Ghobadian, Barat & Najafi, G. & Mamat, R., 2016. "A comprehensive review of Uniform Solar Illumination at Low Concentration Photovoltaic (LCPV) Systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1430-1441.
    9. Rodrigo, P. & Velázquez, Ramiro & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, F. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2016. "Analysis of electrical mismatches in high-concentrator photovoltaic power plants with distributed inverter configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 374-387.
    10. Almonacid, F. & Fernández, E.F. & Mallick, T.K. & Pérez-Higueras, P.J., 2015. "High concentrator photovoltaic module simulation by neuronal networks using spectrally corrected direct normal irradiance and cell temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 336-343.
    11. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, Florencia & Garcia-Loureiro, Antonio J., 2015. "Multi-junction solar cells electrical characterization by neuronal networks under different irradiance, spectrum and cell temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 846-856.
    12. Ancona, M.A. & Bianchi, M. & Diolaiti, E. & Giannuzzi, A. & Marano, B. & Melino, F. & Peretto, A., 2017. "A novel solar concentrator system for combined heat and power application in residential sector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1199-1209.
    13. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Talavera, D.L. & Almonacid, Florencia M. & Smestad, Greg P., 2016. "Investigating the impact of weather variables on the energy yield and cost of energy of grid-connected solar concentrator systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 790-801.
    14. Xu, Jintao & Chen, Fei & Xia, Entong & Gao, Chong & Deng, Chenggang, 2020. "An optimization design method and optical performance analysis on multi-sectioned compound parabolic concentrator with cylindrical absorber," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    15. Zimmerman, Ryan & Panda, Anurag & Bulović, Vladimir, 2020. "Techno-economic assessment and deployment strategies for vertically-mounted photovoltaic panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    16. Almonacid, Florencia & Rodrigo, Pedro & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2016. "Determination of the current–voltage characteristics of concentrator systems by using different adapted conventional techniques," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 146-160.
    17. Rawat, Rahul & Kaushik, S.C. & Lamba, Ravita, 2016. "A review on modeling, design methodology and size optimization of photovoltaic based water pumping, standalone and grid connected system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1506-1519.
    18. Alami, Abdul Hai, 2016. "Synthetic clay as an alternative backing material for passive temperature control of photovoltaic cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 195-200.
    19. Monica Castaneda & Sebastian Zapata & Andres Aristizabal, 2018. "Assessing the Effect of Incentive Policies on Residential PV Investments in Colombia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, October.
    20. Hasan, Ahmed & Sarwar, Jawad & Shah, Ali Hasan, 2018. "Concentrated photovoltaic: A review of thermal aspects, challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 835-852.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:160:y:2015:i:c:p:687-696. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.