Radial CPV receiver

Abstract

Concentration Photovoltaic (CPV) parabolic dishes uses to concentrate the sunlight creating a spot of light with radial symmetry, which does not match with the conventional rectangular solar cells receivers. Our approach for reducing the severe optical mismatch consists of using a receiver with radial arrangement of the cells into circular sectors that can minimise the current mismatch. It guarantees that the circular sectors are receiving the same amount of light due to their radial distribution. On the other hand, when tracking errors move the focus off the central position, interconnection of opposite circular sectors in parallel can compensate the current mismatch and so the power losses are significantly reduced. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.