Large scale compound parabolic concentrator for building integrated façade

Abstract

This thesis presents the design, fabrication, performance and analysis of two façade integrated compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) for two different locations: Ferrara, Italy and Mayo Ireland. The research involves comparing the performance of CPC, CPC/PCM (CPC with Phase Change Material) and Reference systems. The first, CPC, designed for Ferrara, Italy, had an acceptance half angle of 22 º - 68 º, concentrator ratio of 3, and contained 32 solar cells. It was fabricated in Trinity College Dublin and tested at University of Ferrara (UNIFE), Italy. The results showed 928 W/m2 CPC/PCM system reached 113 W (target power), this value was a factor of 1.79 higher when compared with the Reference system. A record solar cell efficiency was achieved for CPC/PCM system of 24 %, this was 10 % more than the Reference system. Maximum electrical power production between CPC/PCM system and CPC system were 80 W and 72 W, respectively at 642 W/m2 solar radiation. The solar cell efficiency reached by the CPC/PC system was 25 % and 22 % for the CPC system. It can be confirmed that heat exchange helps to improve the electrical efficiency of the concentrator compared to a concentrator without heat exchange by 3 %. Second, a compound parabolic concentrators with acceptance half angle of 12 º - 63 º, concentrator ratio of 3, 24 solar cells and suitable in Mayo, Ireland weather climate condition were manufactured and tested at Brackloon Drummin Community Centre, Ireland. The experimental average results showed that under direct radiation, CPC system reported better power output equal to 37 W (power ratio 1.86), while CPC/PCM and Reference systems were 33 W (power ratio 1.77) and 19 W respectively. Reference system showed more stable and better fill factor equal 0.76, while CPC and CPC/PCM system were 0.62 and 0.59 respectively. CPC system presented better solar cell efficiency equal to 20 %, while CPC/PCM and Reference system were 19 % and 12 % respectively. CPC/PCM system reported the highest solar cell temperature equal to 67 ºC. At 824 W/m2 , CPC/PCM system reached 103 W (power target) with a power ratio equal to 2.79. The fill factor was 0.61 with a system efficiency equal to 11 %. The temperature in the solar cells was 53 ºC, this was 35 ºC more than the outdoor temperature. At 832 W/m2 , CPC system reported 104 W (power target) with power ratio of 2.65. The fill factor was 0.63 with a system efficiency equal to 11 %. The temperature in the solar cell was 50 ºC, this was 33 ºC more than the outdoor temperature