Holographic low concentration optical system increasing light collection efficiency of regular solar panels

Jianbo Zhao, Benjamin Chrysler, Raymond K. Kostuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conventional photovoltaic (PV) modules (exclude interdigitated back contact modules) with silicon or gallium arsenide PV cells often have significant inactive module surface area. This results from wafer cutting techniques and metal contacts that reduce the module's collection area and the resultant power conversion efficiency. A holographic light collector (HLC) combining a low-cost holographic optical element and a diffuser into conventional PV modules is proposed and evaluated to collect the solar illumination over the inactive module area. The angular tolerance and extra annual energy yield (EY) of the HLC are analyzed. It is found that improvements in EY of 4.5%, 4.1%, and 3.8% can be obtained when PV panels are deployed with two-axis tracking systems, single-axis tracking systems, and without tracking systems, respectively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number027002
JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2021

Keywords

  • diffuser
  • holographic light collector
  • holographic optical element
  • photovoltaic module
  • waveguide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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