Development of Low-Cost c-Si-Based CPV Cells for a Solar Co-Generation Absorber in a Parabolic Trough Collector

Concentrator photovoltaics (CPVs) have demonstrated high electrical efficiencies and technological potential, especially when deployed in CPV–thermal (CPV-T) hybrid absorbers, in which the cells’ waste heat can be used to power industrial processes. However, the high cost of tracking systems and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energies (Basel) 2024-06, Vol.17 (12), p.2890
Main Authors: Aydin, Elsen, Buchroithner, Armin, Felsberger, Richard, Preßmair, Rupert, Azgın, Ahmet, Turan, Rasit, Keçeci, Ahmet Emin, Bektaş, Gence, Akinoglu, Bulent
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
concentrator photovoltaics
Cooling
Design
Efficiency
Electricity
Green technology
Heat
hybrid solar absorber
Hydrogen as fuel
low-cost solar cells
Optics
parabolic trough
solar cogeneration
Solar collectors
Solar energy
Solar energy industry
Temperature
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Summary:Concentrator photovoltaics (CPVs) have demonstrated high electrical efficiencies and technological potential, especially when deployed in CPV–thermal (CPV-T) hybrid absorbers, in which the cells’ waste heat can be used to power industrial processes. However, the high cost of tracking systems and the predominant use of expensive multi-junction PV cells have caused the market of solar co-generation technologies to stall. This paper describes the development and testing of a low-cost alternative CPV cell based on crystalline silicone (c-Si) for use in a novel injection-molded parabolic hybrid solar collector, generating both, photovoltaic electricity and thermal power. The study covers two different c-Si cell technologies, namely, passive emitter rear contact (PERC) and aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF). Simulation design and manufacturing are described with special attention to fingerprinting in order to achieve high current carrying capacities for concentrated sunlight. It was determined that Al-BSF cells offer higher efficiencies than PERC for the considered use case. Solar simulator tests showed that the highly doped 4 cm2 cells (50 ohm/sq) reach efficiencies of 16.9% under 1 sun and 13.1% under 60 suns at 25 °C with a temperature coefficient of −0.069%(Abs)/K. Finally, options to further improve the cells are discussed and an outlook is given for deployment in a field-testing prototype.
ISSN:1996-1073
1996-1073
DOI:10.3390/en17122890