Abstract

In this paper, we present an analysis of the concentration achieved by white backed photovoltaic panels. Concentration is due to the trapping by light scattered in the refractive plate to which the solar cell is bonded. Using the reciprocity relation and assuming the ideal case of a Lambertian distribution, a detailed model is formulated that includes the effects of the thickness and walls of the concentrator. This model converges to the thermodynamic limit and is found to be consistent with experimental results for a wide range of cell sizes. Finally, the model is generalized to multiple-cell photovoltaic panels.

© 1984 Optical Society of America

Concentration of solar radiation by white painted transparent plates

Greg Smestad and Patrick Hamill
Appl. Opt. 21(7) 1298-1306 (1982)

Monitoring of concentrated radiation beam for photovoltaic and thermal solar energy conversion applications

Antonio Parretta, Carlo Privato, Giuseppe Nenna, Andrea Antonini, and Marco Stefancich
Appl. Opt. 45(30) 7885-7897 (2006)

Solar concentrators using total internal reflection

G. Lifante, F. Cusso, F. Meseguer, and F. Jaque
Appl. Opt. 22(24) 3966-3970 (1983)

Analysis of static and quasi-static cross compound parabolic concentrators

Antonio G. Molledo and Antonio Luque
Appl. Opt. 23(12) 2007-2016 (1984)

Photon-transport properties of luminescent solar concentrators: analysis and optimization

J. Roncali and F. Garnier
Appl. Opt. 23(16) 2809-2817 (1984)