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Design and evaluation of passive concentrator and reflector systems for bifacial solar panel on a highly cloudy region – A case study in Malaysia

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  • Lim, Yun Seng
  • Lo, Chin Kim
  • Kee, Shin Yiing
  • Ewe, Hong Tat
  • Faidz, Abd Rahman

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are the most promising renewable energy source in Malaysia because it is a tropical country receiving a huge amount of solar irradiation every year. However, Malaysia is surrounded by South China Sea and Malacca Straits. The vapour from the sea water with the blow of seasonal winds causes a large amount of clouds passing over the country, hence creating the variation in the direct and diffused sunlight throughout a day. The performance of the concentrators and reflectors for bifacial solar cells under the variation of direct and diffused sunlight has not been studied thoroughly. Therefore, several concentrators and reflectors have been designed, constructed and placed under a specially designed bifacial solar panel. The setup of each concentrator and reflector is as follows; scattering particles (scatterers) sprinkled across the plane mirror under the solar panel, an array of adjustable small plane mirrors placed underneath the solar panel, and long triangular prisms in between solar cells with a plane mirror underneath. Another solar panel is constructed and placed on top of the plane mirror as a reference. Each setup of the concentrators or reflectors is evaluated by measuring the power output of the tested and the reference panels together throughout a day under the sun. Empirical approaches are developed to compensate for uncontrollable factors including solar cell manufacturing mismatch and unequal degradation between the tested and the reference solar panels. A few potentially working static concentrator and reflector systems are identified based on the experimental results. An assessment is carried out to show the economic viability of the proposed setups with respect to that of the mono-crystalline solar cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Lim, Yun Seng & Lo, Chin Kim & Kee, Shin Yiing & Ewe, Hong Tat & Faidz, Abd Rahman, 2014. "Design and evaluation of passive concentrator and reflector systems for bifacial solar panel on a highly cloudy region – A case study in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 415-425.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:63:y:2014:i:c:p:415-425
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.10.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lim, Yun Seng & Lo, Chin Kim & Teh, Geok Bee, 2012. "Unsaturated polyester resin blended with MMA as potential host matrix for luminescent solar concentrator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 156-162.
    2. Chin Kim Lo & Yun Seng Lim & Seng Gee Tan & Faidz Abd Rahman, 2010. "A New Hybrid Algorithm Using Thermodynamic and Backward Ray-Tracing Approaches for Modeling Luminescent Solar Concentrators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(12), pages 1-30, November.
    3. Seng, Lim Yun & Lalchand, G. & Sow Lin, Gladys Mak, 2008. "Economical, environmental and technical analysis of building integrated photovoltaic systems in Malaysia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 2130-2142, June.
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    1. Ooshaksaraei, Poorya & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman & Zaidi, Saleem H. & Zulkifli, Rozli, 2017. "Performance of four air-based photovoltaic thermal collectors configurations with bifacial solar cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(PB), pages 279-293.
    2. Khan, M. Ryyan & Sakr, Enas & Sun, Xingshu & Bermel, Peter & Alam, Muhammad A., 2019. "Ground sculpting to enhance energy yield of vertical bifacial solar farms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 592-598.
    3. Lo, Chin Kim & Lim, Yun Seng & Rahman, Faidz Abd, 2015. "New integrated simulation tool for the optimum design of bifacial solar panel with reflectors on a specific site," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 293-307.
    4. Guerrero-Lemus, R. & Vega, R. & Kim, Taehyeon & Kimm, Amy & Shephard, L.E., 2016. "Bifacial solar photovoltaics – A technology review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1533-1549.
    5. Kim, Chungil & Jeong, Myeong Sang & Ko, Jaehwan & Ko, MyeongGeun & Kang, Min Gu & Song, Hyung-Jun, 2021. "Inhomogeneous rear reflector induced hot-spot risk and power loss in building-integrated bifacial c-Si photovoltaic modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 825-835.
    6. Zhong, Jianmei & Zhang, Wei & Xie, Lingzhi & Zhao, Oufan & Wu, Xin & Zeng, Xiding & Guo, Jiahong, 2023. "Development and challenges of bifacial photovoltaic technology and application in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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