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Impact of DC-DC Converters on the Energy Performance of a Dense Concentrator PV Array under Nonuniform Irradiance and Temperature Profiles

Author

Listed:
  • Álvaro Fernández

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Joana Rosell-Mirmi

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Desideri Regany

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Montse Vilarrubí

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Jérôme Barrau

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Manel Ibañez

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Joan Rosell-Urrutia

    (Sustainable Energy, Machinery and Buildings (SEMB) Research Group, University of Lleida, c/Pere de Cabrera n° 3, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

Abstract

Efficiency losses resulting from electrical mismatching in densely packed photovoltaic arrays present a significant challenge, particularly exacerbated in nonuniformly illuminated receivers and under varying temperatures. Serial configurations are particularly susceptible to radiation nonuniformities, while parallel systems are negatively affected by temperature variations. Various authors have recommended the incorporation of electrical voltage and current sources to mitigate these losses. This study explores different electrical connection configurations utilizing concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells and DC-DC electrical current converters. A self-adaptive microfluidic cell matrix cooling system is employed to mitigate thermal dispersion caused by the highly nonuniform illumination profile. The obtained results for each configuration are compared with the total electrical power produced by individual cells, operating under identical radiation and temperature conditions to those of the entire array. The results reveal a noteworthy increase in production across all studied configurations, with the parallel–series arrangement demonstrating the most promising practical utility. This configuration exhibited a remarkable 50.75% increase in power production compared with the standard series connection.

Suggested Citation

  • Álvaro Fernández & Joana Rosell-Mirmi & Desideri Regany & Montse Vilarrubí & Jérôme Barrau & Manel Ibañez & Joan Rosell-Urrutia, 2024. "Impact of DC-DC Converters on the Energy Performance of a Dense Concentrator PV Array under Nonuniform Irradiance and Temperature Profiles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:5:p:1235-:d:1351298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Siaw, Fei-Lu & Chong, Kok-Keong & Wong, Chee-Woon, 2014. "A comprehensive study of dense-array concentrator photovoltaic system using non-imaging planar concentrator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 542-555.
    2. Ju, Xing & Pan, Xinyu & Zhang, Zheyang & Xu, Chao & Wei, Gaosheng, 2019. "Thermal and electrical performance of the dense-array concentrating photovoltaic (DA-CPV) system under non-uniform illumination," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 904-915.
    3. Eccher, M. & Salemi, A. & Turrini, S. & Brusa, R.S., 2015. "Measurements of power transfer efficiency in CPV cell-array models using individual DC–DC converters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 396-406.
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