Solar resource for high-concentrator photovoltaic applications

Abstract

Direct solar radiation is the main fuel for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technologies. At any instant, the magnitude and spectral distribution of incoming direct normal irradiance (DNI) on the concentrator determines the instantaneous power produced by the generator. On a seasonal or mean annual basis, the magnitude of the DNI resource also directly affects the design of the whole system. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the available solar resource— essentially in terms of broadband DNI—is required at the system’s design stage to evaluate the anticipated power to be produced by the projected CPV plant. This chapter is devoted to providing a better understanding of the current methods used in solar resource assessment to accommodate the specific needs of CPV projects. To this aim, the chapter starts with an introductory discussion on extraterrestrial solar radiation and its transfer throughout the Earth’s atmosphere. Later on, the most common solar radiation modelling approaches for solar energy applications are discussed preceding a brief review of the best current measuring techniques and data quality-control methods for solar radiation. This includes important measure-ment recommendations for CPV applications. The chapter ends with brief discussions on spectral and circumsolar solar radiation.