NON-TRACKED MIRROR-AUGMENTED PHOTOVOLTAIC DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE

In developing photovoltaic (PV) technology, it is crucial to provide low cost PVpower. One of the useful methods is to increase the power output of conventional PV modules since the major cost (module manufacturing, mounts, wiring, installation labor, etc.) tends to scale with system area. Increased power output, due to improved light harvesting, will produce more power per unit area. The use of PV modules, which have been augmented by the addition of low-cost solar mirrors, provides the opportunity to improve light harvesting of PV modules while reducing the cost of power. In order to harvest more incident solar irradiance, an optimized design configuration between a flatpanel module and mirror is necessary for a fixed (non-tracked) mirror-augmented photovoltaic (MAPV) system. A series of 1D irradiance models were developed to screen various MAPV design configurations. Optical ray-tracing was used to determine irradiance non-uniformity issues on a fixed MAPV system. Both the 1D irradiance and ray-tracing results are compared to outdoor field test results. The current-voltage (I-V) curve tracing of test modules was performed with a Daystar Multi-tracer for time series analysis. Over a three-month period of study the fixed MAPV system produced 10% more power than an equivalent non-augmented panel. An adjustable mounting system “time machine” was used to estimate yearly power production. The experimental time machine result matched the ray-trace simulation and showed a “gullwing curve” of monthly power output with peak production on the equinoxes and reduced production onthe solstices. This “gullwing” power production is characteristic for fixed MAPV system geometrics.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Sciences (Engineering)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Lin, Wei-Chun

Contributors dc:contributor

• French, Roger

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1363626307

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1363626307