Influence of self-weight on electrical power conversion of dense-array concentrator photovoltaic system

• Published in: Renewable energy 2016-03, Vol.87, p.445-457
• Main Authors: Tan, Ming-Hui, Chong, Kok-Keong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concentrator photovoltaic; Mechanical deflection; Non-imaging dish concentrator; Optical alignment; Solar flux distribution; Strain gauge
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.10.022

New methodology of analyzing the influence of self-weight structural deflection towards the power conversion loss of dense-array concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system has been formulated. As a case study, a three-dimensional mechanical model has been created based on the 23-m2 non-imaging dish concentrator (NIDC) prototype in which self-weight mechanical deflection and the consequent effect to the optical performance have been carried out at various elevation angles to determine the solar flux distributions. Finally, the overall power conversion of dense-array solar cells by taking into account of solar flux distribution has been simulated. For elevation angle of 60°, the energy variation and solar concentration ratio variation of solar flux distribution are 3.2% and 43% respectively as compared to ideal circumstance without self-weight deflection. The resulted maximum power conversion loss is 12.4%. The influence of self-weight on NIDC has significant impact to both the image distortion and pointing error of the solar flux distribution, which is one of major reasons to deteriorate the electrical power conversion of the CPV system. [Display omitted] •Maximum optical misalignment of facet mirror is 0.3°at elevation angle 60°.•Flux distribution is 2.35 cm offset from receiver's center at elevation angle 60°.•Energy variation of flux distribution is 3.2% at elevation angle 60°.•Concentration ratio variation of flux distribution is 43% at elevation angle 60°.•Maximum power conversion loss is 12.4% at elevation angle 60°.