Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV
The concentration ratio is one of the most important characteristics in designing a Cassegrain solar concentrator since it directly affects the performance of high-density solar energy applications such as concentrated photovoltaics (CPVs). In this study, solar concentrator modules that have differe...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Energy Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.722842/full |
| _version_ | 1818582773459320832 |
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| author | Seung Jin Oh Hyungchan Kim Youngsun Hong |
| author_facet | Seung Jin Oh Hyungchan Kim Youngsun Hong |
| author_sort | Seung Jin Oh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The concentration ratio is one of the most important characteristics in designing a Cassegrain solar concentrator since it directly affects the performance of high-density solar energy applications such as concentrated photovoltaics (CPVs). In this study, solar concentrator modules that have different configurations were proposed and their performances were compared by means of a Monte Carlo ray-tracing algorithm to identify the optimal configurations. The first solar concentrator design includes a primary parabolic concentrator, a parabolic secondary reflector, and a homogenizer. The second design, on the other hand, includes a parabolic primary concentrator, a secondary hyperbolic concentrator, and a homogenizer. Two different reflectance were applied to find the ideal concentration ratio and the actual concentration ratio. In addition, uniform rays and solar rays also were compared to estimate their efficiency. Results revealed that both modules show identical concentration ratios of 610 when the tracking error is not considered. However, the concentration ratio of the first design rapidly drops when the sun tracking error overshoots even 0.1°, whereas the concentration ratio of the second design remained constant within the range of the 0.8° tracking error. It was concluded that a paraboloidal reflector is not appropriate for the second mirror in a Cassegrain concentrator due to its low acceptance angle. The maximum collection efficiency was achieved when the f-number is smaller and the rim angle is bigger and when the secondary reflector is in a hyperboloid shape. The target area has to be rather bigger with a shorter focal length for the secondary reflector to obtain a wider acceptance angle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T07:54:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7b4d5568a8bc4006a4ef1dc1f2520c2c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-598X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T07:54:43Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-7b4d5568a8bc4006a4ef1dc1f2520c2c2022-12-21T22:38:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Energy Research2296-598X2021-10-01910.3389/fenrg.2021.722842722842Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPVSeung Jin OhHyungchan KimYoungsun HongThe concentration ratio is one of the most important characteristics in designing a Cassegrain solar concentrator since it directly affects the performance of high-density solar energy applications such as concentrated photovoltaics (CPVs). In this study, solar concentrator modules that have different configurations were proposed and their performances were compared by means of a Monte Carlo ray-tracing algorithm to identify the optimal configurations. The first solar concentrator design includes a primary parabolic concentrator, a parabolic secondary reflector, and a homogenizer. The second design, on the other hand, includes a parabolic primary concentrator, a secondary hyperbolic concentrator, and a homogenizer. Two different reflectance were applied to find the ideal concentration ratio and the actual concentration ratio. In addition, uniform rays and solar rays also were compared to estimate their efficiency. Results revealed that both modules show identical concentration ratios of 610 when the tracking error is not considered. However, the concentration ratio of the first design rapidly drops when the sun tracking error overshoots even 0.1°, whereas the concentration ratio of the second design remained constant within the range of the 0.8° tracking error. It was concluded that a paraboloidal reflector is not appropriate for the second mirror in a Cassegrain concentrator due to its low acceptance angle. The maximum collection efficiency was achieved when the f-number is smaller and the rim angle is bigger and when the secondary reflector is in a hyperboloid shape. The target area has to be rather bigger with a shorter focal length for the secondary reflector to obtain a wider acceptance angle.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.722842/fullCassegrain solar concentratorhigh concentrated photovoltaicsMonte Carlo ray-tracingconcentration ratiofocal point |
| spellingShingle | Seung Jin Oh Hyungchan Kim Youngsun Hong Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV Frontiers in Energy Research Cassegrain solar concentrator high concentrated photovoltaics Monte Carlo ray-tracing concentration ratio focal point |
| title | Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV |
| title_full | Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV |
| title_fullStr | Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV |
| title_full_unstemmed | Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV |
| title_short | Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Simulation of a Cassegrain Solar Concentrator Module for CPV |
| title_sort | monte carlo ray tracing simulation of a cassegrain solar concentrator module for cpv |
| topic | Cassegrain solar concentrator high concentrated photovoltaics Monte Carlo ray-tracing concentration ratio focal point |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.722842/full |
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