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Characterization of Core-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking Concentrator Photovoltaic System

Author

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  • Masakazu Nakatani

    (Department of Energy and Environment Science, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka-machi, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan
    Sun Marion Co., Ltd., 1603-1 Kamitomioka-machi, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan)

  • Noboru Yamada

    (Department of Energy and Environment Science, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka-machi, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan)

Abstract

The optical characteristics of a radially symmetrical core-shell spherical (CSSP) lens is analyzed for its suitability to application in microtracking concentrator photovoltaic systems (MTCPVs). The CSSP lens is compared to a conventional homogenous spherical lens through both ray-tracing simulations and outdoor experiments. Simulation results show that the CSSP lens is superior to the conventional homogenous spherical lens in terms of its optical efficiency for long focal lengths, for which the CSSP lens exhibits less spherical and chromatic aberrations. Outdoor experiments are conducted using test concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules with prototype CSSP and homogenous spherical lenses; the trend of the measured short circuit current agrees with the that of the simulated optical efficiency for both lenses. Furthermore, compared to the homogenous lens, the CSSP lens significantly increases module efficiency because of its better illumination uniformity at the solar cell surface. The optical characteristics of the CSSP lens are preferable for MTCPVs with a spherical lens array to achieve a higher module efficiency for a wider incidence angle although further studies on more practical system configurations are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Masakazu Nakatani & Noboru Yamada, 2019. "Characterization of Core-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking Concentrator Photovoltaic System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:18:p:3517-:d:266756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jared S. Price & Xing Sheng & Bram M. Meulblok & John A. Rogers & Noel C. Giebink, 2015. "Wide-angle planar microtracking for quasi-static microcell concentrating photovoltaics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, May.
    2. Harry Apostoleris & Marco Stefancich & Matteo Chiesa, 2016. "Tracking-integrated systems for concentrating photovoltaics," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(4), pages 1-8, April.
    3. Ngoc Hai Vu & Seoyong Shin, 2018. "Flat Concentrator Photovoltaic System with Lateral Displacement Tracking for Residential Rooftops," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, January.
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