Innovative optics for concentrating photovoltaic/thermal (CPVT) systems – the case of the PROTEAS Solar Polygeneration System

Abstract

The aim of this work is to review the current status of photovoltaic (PV) power generation, focusing on concentrating PVs mainly as regards their typology, market and state-of-the-art feature. The incorporation of a heat recovery system can increase the overall efficiency by exploiting the waste heat. The proposed solution is a Solar Polygeneration System (PROTEAS System) for the simultaneous production of electricity, hot water and air-conditioning. The core of the PROTEAS System is the innovative set-up of total internal reflection reflectors made of plastic (primary optical system), with the potential to concentrate solar rays up to 5000 suns, while specially designed total internal reflection homogenisers (secondary optical system) later homogenise the radiation to 1000 suns. The engineering of the system is an ongoing task, while some of the subsystems have been successfully developed.

Keywords

• photovoltaics
• concentrating photovoltaics
• solar electricity