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Experimental and Theoretical Modelling of Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal System with Ge-Based Multi-Junction Solar Cells

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  • Rida Ali Hmouda

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Misurata University, Misurata P.O. Box 2478, Libya)

  • Yuri S. Muzychka

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, Canada)

  • Xili Duan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, Canada)

Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest environmental, political, economic, technological, and social challenges of the 21st century. Due to ever-increasing fossil fuels costs. The world energy system should be transitioned to renewable energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy is one of the suitable alternatives to fossil fuel usage. Currently, the most widely available solar technologies are solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal. The integration of these two techniques enables the exploitation of the most significant amount of solar radiation. This combination has led to a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal system (PV/T). Concentrated solar radiation on PV cells, known as concentrated photovoltaic (CPV), effectively decreases PV receivers’ area and harnesses the same quantity of solar radiation. However, the main problem with CPV is the elevated PV surface temperature, which often requires active cooling. This issue can be solved by introducing a Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) system. In this article, a new CPVT hybrid system based on Point Focus Fresnel Lens (PFFL) and embedded Multi Junction Photovoltaic (MJPV) (GaInP/InGaAs/Ge) cells has been experimentally investigated and numerically modelled under indoor conditions. Experiments and simulations were carried out at different heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow rates and under constant irradiation emitted from a sun simulator. The results indicate that the thermal and electrical performance of the CPVT system improves under the testing conditions, where the total efficiency was 68.7% and 73.5% for the experimental and CFD models, respectively. At the same time, the highest thermal efficiency of the experimental and CFD models was 49.5% and 55.4%, respectively. In contrast, the highest electrical efficiency was 36.5% and 37.1%. Therefore, the CPVT system has an excellent possibility of being competitive with conventional power generation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Rida Ali Hmouda & Yuri S. Muzychka & Xili Duan, 2022. "Experimental and Theoretical Modelling of Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal System with Ge-Based Multi-Junction Solar Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:11:p:4056-:d:829157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Francesco Calise & Laura Vanoli, 2012. "Parabolic Trough Photovoltaic/Thermal Collectors: Design and Simulation Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 5(10), pages 1-23, October.
    3. 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.
    4. Alzahrani, Mussad & Shanks, Katie & Mallick, Tapas K., 2021. "Advances and limitations of increasing solar irradiance for concentrating photovoltaics thermal system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
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    1. Karolina Papis-Frączek & Krzysztof Sornek, 2022. "A Review on Heat Extraction Devices for CPVT Systems with Active Liquid Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-49, August.
    2. Cameron, William J. & Alzahrani, Mussad M. & Yule, James & Shanks, Katie & Reddy, K.S. & Mallick, Tapas K., 2024. "Effects of partial shading on thermal stress and exergetic efficiency for a high concentrator photovoltaic," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).

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