Aiming at assess and optimize the thermal budget during operative condition of an innovative modular point-focus concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system, a finite element thermal analysis have been carried out in this work. The CPV system has been designed and developed at University of Ferrara, as a part of Europen APOLLON project. Each module is comprised of a free-form 20 x 20 cm2 polycarbonate reflector and a secondary reflector in Cassegrain configuration. An aluminum high reflection homogenizer is placed in front of the solar cell and provides a further concentration level. The particular concentrating optic design offers unique possibility to tune the concentrating factor, ranging from 100x up to 400x, while maintaining an outstanding evenness of the irradiance on the cells, only by selecting the aperture angle of the aluminum homogeneizer. 3D simulations have been performed by means of a detailed finite element (FE) model in which both structure and fluid element are included. Solar cell temperature has been simulated and optimized as a function of thermal coupling technical solution with the heat sink. Heat transfer due to natural air convection induced by the thermal buoyancy force inside the CPV enclosure has been also taken into account. Results predicts a quasi equilibrium temperature of solar cell in operative conditions always under 80°C, even without any finned heat sink on the back of the module.
Finite Element Model for Thermal Analysis of a High-Concentration Modular CPV System
GUALDI, Federico;VINCENZI, Donato;BARICORDI, Stefano;PASQUINI, Matteo;POZZETTI, Luana;GUIDI, Vincenzo
2011
Abstract
Aiming at assess and optimize the thermal budget during operative condition of an innovative modular point-focus concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system, a finite element thermal analysis have been carried out in this work. The CPV system has been designed and developed at University of Ferrara, as a part of Europen APOLLON project. Each module is comprised of a free-form 20 x 20 cm2 polycarbonate reflector and a secondary reflector in Cassegrain configuration. An aluminum high reflection homogenizer is placed in front of the solar cell and provides a further concentration level. The particular concentrating optic design offers unique possibility to tune the concentrating factor, ranging from 100x up to 400x, while maintaining an outstanding evenness of the irradiance on the cells, only by selecting the aperture angle of the aluminum homogeneizer. 3D simulations have been performed by means of a detailed finite element (FE) model in which both structure and fluid element are included. Solar cell temperature has been simulated and optimized as a function of thermal coupling technical solution with the heat sink. Heat transfer due to natural air convection induced by the thermal buoyancy force inside the CPV enclosure has been also taken into account. Results predicts a quasi equilibrium temperature of solar cell in operative conditions always under 80°C, even without any finned heat sink on the back of the module.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
