Share Email Print
cover

Proceedings Paper

Design of folded holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system for direct and diffuse illumination conditions
Format Member Price Non-Member Price
PDF $17.00 $21.00

Paper Abstract

Spectrum-splitting is a beneficial technique to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This method divides the incident solar spectrum into spectral components that are spatially separated and directed to PV cells with matching spectral responsivity characteristics. This approach eliminates problems associated with current and lattice matching that must be maintained in tandem multi-junction systems. In this paper, a two-junction holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system is demonstrated with a folded PV geometry. The system is designed to use both direct and diffuse solar irradiation. It consists of holographic elements, a wedge-shaped optical guide, and PV substrates with back reflectors. The holographic elements and back reflectors spatially separate the incident solar spectrum and project spectral components onto matching PV cell types. In addition, the wedge-shaped optical guide traps diffuse illumination inside the system to increase absorption. In this paper, the wedge spectrum splitting system is analyzed using tabulated data for InGaP2/GaAs cells with direct illumination combined with experimental data for reflection volume holograms. A system efficiency of 31.42% is obtained with experimental reflection hologram data. This efficiency is a 21.42% improvement over a similar system that uses one PV cell with the highest efficiency (GaAs). Simulation results show large acceptance angle for both in-plane and out-of plane directions. Simulation of the output power of the system with different configurations at different times of the year are also presented.

Paper Details

Date Published: 7 October 2014
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 9175, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications IX, 91750G (7 October 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2060882
Show Author Affiliations
Yuechen Wu, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
Shelby D. Vorndran, College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
Juan M. Russo, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
Silvana Ayala, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
Raymond K. Kostuk, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)
College of Optical Sciences, The Univ. of Arizona (United States)


Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9175:
High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications IX
Adam P. Plesniak; Candace Pfefferkorn, Editor(s)

© SPIE. Terms of Use
Back to Top
PREMIUM CONTENT
Sign in to read the full article
Create a free SPIE account to get access to
premium articles and original research
Forgot your username?
close_icon_gray