Results show that efficiency is deeply influenced by reflector geometry details, collector tilt and location (latitude, longitude) of the solar panel installation and, mostly, by costumer demands.
On an annual performance basis, a comparative analysis between several solar collector geometries was effectuated to search for higher efficiencies but with controlled costs. More complex physical models based on open-source and advanced object-oriented Monte Carlo ray tracing programs (SolTrace, Tonatiuh) have been used to study the relation between the collector annual performance and its geometry. The analysis is first accomplished using a numerical model that uses geometrical optics to study the interaction between the sunlight and a concentrating collector along the year. The aim of this work is the redesign of the reflector geometry in hybrid concentrating collectors that are currently manufactured by SOLARUS Sunpower AB** to improve the energy efficiency of their solar collectors. Gomes Joao (Solarus Sunpower AB, Gavle, Sweden)
(Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)įernandes Carlos (Telecommunications Institute, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)Ĭosta Branco Paulo Jose (Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal)īarata Catarina (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal) (University of Lisbon, Telecommunications Institute, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal)įernandes Joao F.P. Thermal Science 2018 Volume 22, Issue 5, Pages: 2243-2256Įffect of the collector geometry in the concentrating photovoltaic thermal solar cell performance