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On the Influence of PV Cell and Diode Configurations on the Performance of a CPVT Collector: A Comparative Analysis

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  • João Gomes

    (Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Science, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden
    MG Sustainable Engineering AB, S:t Olofsgatan 9B, 753 21 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Juan Pablo Santana

    (Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Science, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Damu Murali

    (Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Science, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden)

  • George Pius

    (MG Sustainable Engineering AB, S:t Olofsgatan 9B, 753 21 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Iván P. Acosta-Pazmiño

    (Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainable Science, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden
    MG Sustainable Engineering AB, S:t Olofsgatan 9B, 753 21 Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

Concentrating photovoltaic-thermal (CPVT) collectors use reflective surfaces to focus sunlight onto a smaller receiver area, increasing thermal energy output while maintaining annual energy efficiency. Ray-tracing simulations are employed in this study using Tonatiuh to optimise the characteristics of the Double MaReCo (DM) collector, which is an improved version of the commercially available Solarus Power Collector (PC). Focused on enhancing electrical performance, the photovoltaic (PV) cell configurations are varied on the bottom side of the receiver, while the top-side PV cells remain constant. The study also analyses the influence of diodes and transparent gables on the annual solar irradiance received by the PV cells. From the analysis, it is observed that the specific annual irradiance received by the PV cells in the DM collector with transparent gables is nearly 64% more compared to that of the PC counterpart. It is also observed that the transparency of gables becomes significant only when the whole area of the receiver is covered by PV cells. With the goal of improving performance while lowering the cost and complexity of the DM collector, the study investigates various collector design characteristics that may shed more light on optimising the current model.

Suggested Citation

  • João Gomes & Juan Pablo Santana & Damu Murali & George Pius & Iván P. Acosta-Pazmiño, 2025. "On the Influence of PV Cell and Diode Configurations on the Performance of a CPVT Collector: A Comparative Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3479-:d:1692585
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jafrancesco, David & Cardoso, Joao P. & Mutuberria, Amaia & Leonardi, Erminia & Les, Iñigo & Sansoni, Paola & Francini, Franco & Fontani, Daniela, 2018. "Optical simulation of a central receiver system: Comparison of different software tools," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 792-803.
    2. Cabral, Diogo, 2022. "Development and performance comparison of a modified glazed CPC hybrid solar collector coupled with a bifacial PVT receiver," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    3. João Gomes, 2019. "Assessment of the Impact of Stagnation Temperatures in Receiver Prototypes of C-PVT Collectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Sharaf, Omar Z. & Orhan, Mehmet F., 2018. "Comparative thermodynamic analysis of densely-packed concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) solar collectors in thermally in-series and in-parallel receiver configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 296-321.
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