Editing Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Non-Tracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bi-Directional Reflectance Function (BDRF) Based Modelling

[[File:Bdrf-pv.png|thumb]]

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{{Source data
| type = Paper
| cite-as = Andrews, R.W.; Pollard, A.; Pearce, J.M., "Photovoltaic System Performance Enhancement With Nontracking Planar Concentrators: Experimental Results and Bidirectional Reflectance Function (BDRF)-Based Modeling," ''IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics'' 5(6), pp.1626-1635 (2015). DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2478064 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2478064] [https://www.academia.edu/16836963/Photovoltaic_System_Performance_Enhancement_With_Non-Tracking_Planar_Concentrators_Experimental_Results_and_Bi-Directional_Reflectance_Function_BDRF_Based_Modelling open access]
}}

Non-tracking planar concentrators are a low-cost method of increasing the performance of traditional solar [[photovoltaic]] (PV) systems. This paper presents new methodologies for properly modeling this type of system design and experimental results using a bi-directional reflectance function (BDRF) of non-ideal surfaces rather than traditional geometric optics. This methodology allows for the evaluation and optimization of specular and non-specular reflectors in planar concentration systems. In addition, an outdoor system has been shown to improve energy yield by 45% for a traditional flat glass module and by 40% for a prismatic glass crystalline silicon module when compared to a control module at the same orientation. When compared to a control module set at the optimal tilt angle for this region, the energy improvement is 18% for both system. Simulations show that a maximum increase of 30% is achievable for an optimized system located in Kingston, ON using a reflector with specular reflection and an integrated hemispherical reflectance of 80%. This validated model can be used to optimize reflector topology to identify the potential for increased energy harvest from both existing PV and new-build PV assets.

* [https://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/13112/1/Andrews_Rob_W_201506_PHD.pdf Rob Andrews' PhD Thesis]

{{Pearce publications notice}}

== Discussion ==

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* [https://storify.com/aw_mills/talk-solar-with-profpearce-and-mturesearch#publicize Talk Solar with @ProfPearce and @mturesearch]

== See also ==

[[Image:reflectorpv.jpg|300px|right]]

* [[Photovoltaic system performance enhancement with non-tracking planar concentrators: Experimental results and BDRF based modelling]]
* [[Low level concentration for PV applications]]
* [[Effects of low concentration planer concentrators on array-scale solar photovoltaic systems performance]]
* [[Geographic potential of shotcrete photovoltaic racking: Direct and low-concentration cases]]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20160416191147/http://www.zytech.es:80/viewall.asp?bigid=54&smallid=84&productid=232 Zytech] - doing LCPV

== In the news ==

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* [http://laoyaoba.com/ss6/html/40/n-577540.html 研究人员利用双向反射模型提高PV聚光效率] - Laoyaobo (Chinese)
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* [http://www.odbornecasopisy.cz/clanek/vyzkum-zvyseni-efektivity-solarnich-panelu--1204 Výzkum zvýšení efektivity solárních panelů] - FCC Public (Czech)
* [http://blog.elettronicain.it/2015/11/01/sole-perso-pannelli-fotovoltaici/ Fotovoltaico, 30% di efficienza energetica in più sfruttando il sole perso fra i pannelli] - Elettronica (Italian)
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* ---
* Can mirrors boost solar panel output - and help overcome Trump’s tariffs? -[https://theconversation.com/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trumps-tariffs-90663 The Conversation-6045], [http://solarenergy.einnews.com/article__detail/428870009-can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trump-s-tariffs?vcode=XIbw EIN - Solar Energy Industry Today -78k], [https://www.ien.com/product-development/news/20990300/mirrors-could-boost-solar-panel-output IEN], [http://web.archive.org/web/20180126041229/http://www.latimes.com/sns-can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trumps-tariffs-90663-20180126-story.html LA Times 771], [http://siouxcityjournal.com/opinion/columnists/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_3d2f6de9-92c2-5480-8475-3a02df1fea93.html Sioux City Journal], [https://www.goskagit.com/opinion/conversation/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_1336cdba-4195-5508-846c-14e06d03a1bc.html Skagit Valley Herald], [http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-12526452.php Albany Times Union 32.9k], [https://www.idahopress.com/opinion/conversation/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_3af18615-9bfa-5b60-b599-bd55dc9167fd.html Idaho Press Tribune], [http://lacrossetribune.com/opinion/columnists/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_abf40d70-c4f4-52ca-8084-78bde070cf3d.html LaCrosse Tribune 95.7k],[https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap_news/conversation/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_105e9193-815d-5653-9e86-3bc3a6ddc634.html Bozeman Daily Chronicle], [https://www.prosyscom.tech/can-mirrors-improve-solar-panel-output-and-support-defeat-trump-prosyscom/ Prosyscom Tech News],[http://www.philstockworld.com/2018/01/27/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trumps-tariffs/?utm_source=psw&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_content=2018-01-27%20Evening Phils Stock World], [https://phys.org/news/2018-01-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output.html phys.org 7774], [http://tucson.com/opinion/columnists/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_1ac607bc-fa91-52cc-810c-de072824ad98.html Tucson 36.2k], [http://globegazette.com/opinion/columnists/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_c6632284-d38a-57e5-92cd-682ae63de66a.html Globe Gazette], [http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-12526452.php SanFrancisco Chronicle 1392], [http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2018/01/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trump-s-tariffs.html Renewable Energy World 66.5k], [http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output-and-help-overcome-trumps-tariffs-90663-20180126-story.html Chicago Tribune (2173)], [http://lompocrecord.com/opinion/columnists/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output---and-help/article_04e1fd69-b81d-5421-b950-686828fa002e.html Lompoc Record], [https://www.electrochem.org/redcat-blog/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output/ ECS], [http://www.businessinsider.com/how-mirrors-could-boost-solar-energy-and-help-overcome-trumps-tariffs-2018-2?r=US&IR=T&IR=T Business Insider 311], [http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output Green Building Advisor guest blog 71623]
* Can mirrors boost solar panel output? [https://www.green-technology.org/magazinenews/can-mirrors-boost-solar-panel-output/ Green Technology Magazine]
* Un miroir peut-il augmenter la performance des panneaux solaires PV? [http://www.ecohabitation.com/actualite/nouvelles/miroir-augmenter-performance-panneaux-solaires-pv Ecohabitation]
* Using reflectors to increase the yield of solar panels [http://www.ecohome.net/guide/using-reflectors-increase-yield-solar-panels Eco Home]
* Solar energy hack [https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018636714/solar-energy-hack Radio NZ]

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