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A novel linear Fresnel reflector concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system with enhanced optical performance

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  • Ma, Jun
  • Zhou, Zhi-Yuan
  • Liu, Fang
  • Xu, Wei-Cong
  • Wang, Cheng-Long
  • Zhao, Li

Abstract

A novel linear Fresnel reflector concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system (LFR-CPV/T) is proposed, integrating an evacuated tube, a photovoltaic system (PV), and a compound parabolic concentrator as the receiver, along with an optimized PV design. The system’s optical performance is evaluated using Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulations. The results reveal that optical efficiency initially decreases and then increases with the PV width, while the non-uniformity index exhibits a similar trend. At an optimal PV width of 0.15 m, the system achieves maximum optical efficiency and enhanced flux uniformity on both the absorber tube and PV surfaces. The length of the PV and its surface flux density gradually decrease with increasing latitude. Compared to a typical LFR, the proposed LFR-CPV/T system with a 200-m-long collector achieves a 0.4 % improvement in optical efficiency and a 9.54 % reduction in the non-uniformity index on the absorber tube. Moreover, it delivers a significantly more uniform concentrated flux on the PV surface, with a non-uniformity index of just 6.25 %. These findings demonstrate that the proposed LFR-CPV/T system offers superior optical performance, providing a practical and efficient solution for integrating LFRs into CPV/T applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Jun & Zhou, Zhi-Yuan & Liu, Fang & Xu, Wei-Cong & Wang, Cheng-Long & Zhao, Li, 2025. "A novel linear Fresnel reflector concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system with enhanced optical performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:244:y:2025:i:c:s096014812500326x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122664
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    References listed on IDEAS

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