Tracking integration in concentrating photovoltaics using laterally moving optics

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy
• Optical Engineering
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Conventional concentrating photovoltaics require significant mechanical solar tracking.
• Optimizing concentration performance often leads to complex and costly systems.
• Integrating tracking into the photovoltaic design offers potential for reduced complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze the capabilities of tracking-integrated concentrating photovoltaics.
• To develop a compact and potentially lower-cost concentrating photovoltaic design.
• To overcome limitations of conventional solar tracking systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an extended Simultaneous Multiple Surface (SMS) algorithm for optical design.
• Employed two laterally moving plano-convex lenses.
• Analyzed performance over a wide angular range of ±24°.

Main Results:

• Achieved a concentration ratio of 500×.
• Demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional concentrating photovoltaics on a polar aligned single axis tracker.
• The design strategy reduces external mechanical solar tracking effort.

Conclusions:

• Tracking-integrated concentrating photovoltaics offer a viable alternative to conventional systems.
• The proposed design enables high concentration with reduced tracking requirements.
• This approach can lead to more compact and cost-effective solar energy solutions.