Design and modeling of a spectrum-splitting hybrid CSP-CPV parabolic trough using two-stage high concentration optics and dual junction InGaP/GaAs solar cells

• Published in: Solar energy 2018-05, Vol.165 (C), p.75-84
• Main Authors: Widyolar, Bennett, Jiang, Lun, Abdelhamid, Mahmoud, Winston, Roland
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arsenides; Beam splitters; Cell culture; Compound parabolic concentrator; Computer simulation; Concentrators; Cost estimates; Design; Energy & Fuels; Exergy; Gallium; Gallium arsenide; Gallium indium phosphide; Gallium phosphides; Hybrid solar CSP/CPV; Indium; Nonimaging optics; Optics; Optimization; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Solar cells; Solar energy; Solar power; Spectral beam splitting; Splitting
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.03.015

[Display omitted] •Spectrum splitting CSP/CPV collector with back-reflecting InGaP/GaAs cells.•Two-stage optics reach 50X geometric concentration on absorber.•Optimized secondary guarantees 100% geometric transmission with segmented CPC.•Hybrid collector installs @ $2.15/Welectric with 73% thermal fraction (600 °C) A novel hybrid concentrating solar power/concentrating photovoltaic (CSP/CPV) collector is designed, simulated, and optimized for the purpose of power generation. The two-stage concentrator combines a primary parabolic trough with a secondary compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). Single junction Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) and dual junction (InGaP)/Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells are examined as spectrally reflective beam splitting solar cells. The secondary CPC profile is optimized to guarantee geometric efficiency despite a non-continuous (i.e. segmented) profile and the final two-stage design achieves a geometric concentration ratio of 50× on the thermal absorber. Optical, thermal, and cell performance models are used to determine net electric production for different configurations of the hybrid collector and combined with cost estimates to calculate $/Wexergy and $/Welectric. The down-selected design incorporates dual junction InGaP/GaAs cells, achieves 40% solar-to-exergy efficiency and 23% solar-to electric-efficiency at 600 °C, with a thermal fraction of 73% and installs for an estimated $2.15/Welectric.