Performance Comparison of Solar Single-Axis Tracking Low-Concentrating Photovoltaic/Thermal System with Different Axes

Abstract

The study focuses on the performance comparison of solar single-axis tracking low-concentration photovoltaic/thermal (LCPV/T) system with different axes. The axes of the single-axis tracking LCPV/T systems are arranged along the east-west (EW) axis, north-south (NS) axis, and south-east 18° (SE-18°) axis, respectively. The thermal performance of the single-axis tracking system with different axes is discussed through simulated and experimental methods. Simulation study shows that the EW tracking system receives the highest amount of radiation and produced highest electrical energy throughout the year. The experimental research demonstrates that low-concentrating technology significantly improves the performance of the system. Chiefly, the overall thermal efficiency maintains between 50%-70%, and the maximum thermal efficiency achieved in the experiment reaches 68%. The average overall efficiency and exergy efficiency of the NS axis, EW axis and SE-18° axis are 59% and 20%, 64% and 23%, 59% and 20%, respectively. Both the energy and exergy performance of the EW axis is better than the other two axes. The placement of the axis has a significant impact on the thermal and electrical performance of the LCPV/T system. Consequently, the combination of low-concentrating and single-axis tracking technologies has an excellent prospect in practical application.