Model and analysis of solar thermal generators to reduce the intermittency of photovoltaic systems with the use of spectrum splitting

Silvana Ayala; Yuechen Wu; Shelby Vorndran; Raphael Perci Santiago; Raymond K. Kostuk

doi:10.1117/12.2187071

5 September 2015 Model and analysis of solar thermal generators to reduce the intermittency of photovoltaic systems with the use of spectrum splitting

Silvana Ayala, Yuechen Wu, Shelby Vorndran, Raphael Perci Santiago, Raymond K. Kostuk

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9559, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications X; 95590B (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2187071
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics for Sustainable Energy, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In this paper we introduce an approach to damping intermittency in photovoltaic (PV) system output due to fluctuations in solar illumination generated by use of a hybrid PV-thermal electric (TE) generation system. We describe the necessary constrains of the PV-TE system based on its thermodynamic characteristics. The basis for the approach is that the thermal time constant for the TE device is much longer than that of a PV cell. When used in combination with an optimized thermal storage device short periods of intermittency (several minutes) in PV output due to passing clouds can be compensated. A comparison of different spectrum splitting systems to efficiently utilize the incident solar spectrum between the PV and TE converters are also examined. The time-dependent behavior of a hybrid PV-TE converter with a thermal storage element is computed with SMARTS modeled irradiance data and compared to real weather and irradiation conditions for Tucson, Arizona.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Silvana Ayala, Yuechen Wu, Shelby Vorndran, Raphael Perci Santiago, and Raymond K. Kostuk "Model and analysis of solar thermal generators to reduce the intermittency of photovoltaic systems with the use of spectrum splitting", Proc. SPIE 9559, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications X, 95590B (5 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2187071

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