penta-beam concentration for cost effective solar power021506-3

8/8/2019 Penta-Beam Concentration for Cost Effective Solar Power021506-3

1/14

MDFox 2/16/06 1

Penta-Beam Concentration for

Cost Effective Solar PowerMartin D. Fox M.D., Ph.D.

University of Connecticut


2/14

MDFox 2/16/06 2

Abstract

Current solar energy methodologies envision payback to require 16

20 years even with significant government subsidies. The Penta-Beam concept is a family of reflector geometries that providemoderate solar concentrations ranging from 3 to 5 times that canpotentially reduce this payback to the range of 2 to 4 years whichcan make solar energy significantly more practical for communities

and individuals to adopt. Moderate concentration solar systems have in the past been

demonstrated to produce increases in power commensurate with thedegree of solar concentration. The Penta-Beam family ofgeometries can improve significantly on previous moderate

concentration systems, thus providing greater cost-effectiveness forboth photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Preliminary results ona variety of cost effective prototypes will be presented anddiscussed.


3/14

MDFox 2/16/06 3

PentaBeam Concept

The PentaBeam Concept

encompasses a whole family

of geometries that concentrate

Solar radiation for enhanced

utilization of solar energy.

Concentrations range from 3 to

6.

Patent pending.


4/14

MDFox 2/16/06 4

Applications

Light Pipe Oven/Thermal PhotoVoltaicEnhancement


5/14

MDFox 2/16/06 5

The Golden Pentagon: no gaps in

PentaBeam

1

1/21/2

1/2

/2 /2

/2

2/2 2 /2

58.2825

110.905

45

45

(2+)1/22(2+)1/2

2

32

32

-0.75 -0.5 -0.25 0.25 0.5 0.75

0.25

0.5

0.75

1

1.25

1.5

F->1+

5

2.

F1.61803

Golden pentagon compared to

Regular pentagon

Symmetries in Golden pentagon


6/14

MDFox 2/16/06 6

Solar Thermal

Mylar and

wood

Construction

Students:

Ben Lavoie

And Liang Zhu


7/14

MDFox 2/16/06 7

Heating of Water


8/14

MDFox 2/16/06 8

Concentrated PV

The form of

concentrator

shown has a

concentrationof 3.24. The

3 Diameter

TecStar PV is

delivering over

2 Ampere ofcurrent.


9/14

MDFox 2/16/06 9

Collapsible PentaBeam with PV

Open. Uses regular pentagons. Closed, reflectors and PV protected


10/14

MDFox 2/16/06 10

Testing Angular Response

Rotational

StagePentaBeam

Tecstar PV

ExptlSetup020806-2

RiteTech

Mod.53408

DMM

Davis 7821 solar

irradiance meter


11/14

MDFox 2/16/06 11

Experimental Arrangement

Golden PentaBeam

shown, with

TecStar PV in center.


12/14

MDFox 2/16/06 12

Elevational and Azimuthal

Sensitivity Plots [ Cos2 ]

-75 -50 -25 25 50 75e

0.5

1

1.5

2

Io,A

Elevationalplot withfitof-0.23117839+2.392289Cos@ H4.201050+ThetaLD2.

20 40 60 80 100az

0.25

0.5

0.75

1

1.25

1.5

1.75

Isc,A

Azimuthal angle responsedatadata takenwithfitof-

0.06448051+1.840297Cos@ H6.91857+ThetaLD2.


13/14

MDFox 2/16/06 13

Estimated Enhancement Over Flat

PV Without Trackingof 233%

ConcFactor-p

2

p2Cos qaz

2qaz

-p2p2

Cos qaz qaz

-p

4

p4Cos qe

2qe

-p4p4

Cos qe qe

=3.24.91.79 = 2.33


14/14

MDFox 2/16/06 14

Conclusions

PentaBeam is a unique geometry that provides3-5 sun uniform concentration usinginexpensive flat mirrors.

Solar thermal can potentially exceed PV in

conversion efficiency. Collapsible geometry can provide protection forcollector element.

Golden PentaBeam increases strength andimproves performance of flat PV withouttracking.

penta-beam concentration for cost effective solar power021506-3

Documents