Title: Enhancing the performance of a building integrated compound parabolic photovoltaic concentrator using a hybrid photovoltaic cell

Authors: Damasen Ikwaba Paul; Mervyn Smyth

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chosun University, 309, Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-759, South Korea ' Built Environment Research Institute, Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 0QB, UK

Abstract: In this study, a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) cell consisting of high efficiency and low efficiency cells was designed and fabricated. For comparison, low efficiency single cell was also fabricated and both PV cells were evaluated within a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC). The fabrication of a hybrid cell was based on the simulation analysis which identified the regions with high energy concentration and low energy concentration in the CPC. Results indicates that the overall experimental daily power output of a hybrid PV cell on a clear sunny day and partial cloud day is higher than that of low efficiency single PV cell by 12% in both cases. On the other hand, the overall theoretical daily power output of a hybrid PV cell on a clear sunny day, partial cloud day and overcast day is also higher than that of low efficiency single PV cell by 11%, 10% and 13%, respectively.

Keywords: building integrated concentrating photovoltaic; compound parabolic concentrator; hybrid PV cell; low efficiency single PV cell; non-uniform illumination; experimental daily power output; theoretical daily power output; low-concentrating system; maximum power output.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2020.106519

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2020 Vol.11 No.1, pp.49 - 69

Received: 07 May 2018
Accepted: 17 May 2019
Published online: 09 Apr 2020 *

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