Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator

Electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are new technologies that will play an important role in the transportation industry over the next decade. Using solar panels on the roofs of cars is one of the simplest ways to reduce fuel costs and increase the mobility of electric vehicles. Solar el...

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Main Authors: Hoang Vu, Ngoc Hai Vu, Seoyong Shin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/19/6951
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author Hoang Vu
Ngoc Hai Vu
Seoyong Shin
author_facet Hoang Vu
Ngoc Hai Vu
Seoyong Shin
author_sort Hoang Vu
collection DOAJ
description Electric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are new technologies that will play an important role in the transportation industry over the next decade. Using solar panels on the roofs of cars is one of the simplest ways to reduce fuel costs and increase the mobility of electric vehicles. Solar electric cars can be charged anywhere under the Sun without additional infrastructure, but the problem is the size of the solar panel is limited on the roof and the electricity conversion efficiency of the panel is only 15% to 20%. This means they will not provide significant electricity to EVs. An effective way to increase efficiency is to utilize multi-junction solar cells with concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology. The challenge is that the moving sun-tracking mechanism will reduce the stability of the vehicle structure. To solve this issue, in this research, we present a static concentrator photovoltaic system for electric vehicles. This structure is more stable and simpler than CPV systems using sun-tracking mechanisms and thus suitable for car roof application. The CPV system includes solid compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs), three-junction solar cells, and a crystalline Si cell panel. This structure allows for the manufacture of a static CPV with a geometrical concentration ratio of 4× for three-junction cells. The simulation results showed that the module can achieve 25% annual efficiency. Moreover, it can be flexible to meet the requirements of car roof application.
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spelling doaj.art-f09a7e37baf04cffb3a001252ed3e8952023-11-23T20:10:40ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-09-011519695110.3390/en15196951Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic ConcentratorHoang Vu0Ngoc Hai Vu1Seoyong Shin2Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin 17058, Gyeonggi-do, KoreaFaculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Hanoi 12116, VietnamDepartment of Information and Communication Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin 17058, Gyeonggi-do, KoreaElectric vehicles (EVs) and photovoltaics (PVs) are new technologies that will play an important role in the transportation industry over the next decade. Using solar panels on the roofs of cars is one of the simplest ways to reduce fuel costs and increase the mobility of electric vehicles. Solar electric cars can be charged anywhere under the Sun without additional infrastructure, but the problem is the size of the solar panel is limited on the roof and the electricity conversion efficiency of the panel is only 15% to 20%. This means they will not provide significant electricity to EVs. An effective way to increase efficiency is to utilize multi-junction solar cells with concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology. The challenge is that the moving sun-tracking mechanism will reduce the stability of the vehicle structure. To solve this issue, in this research, we present a static concentrator photovoltaic system for electric vehicles. This structure is more stable and simpler than CPV systems using sun-tracking mechanisms and thus suitable for car roof application. The CPV system includes solid compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs), three-junction solar cells, and a crystalline Si cell panel. This structure allows for the manufacture of a static CPV with a geometrical concentration ratio of 4× for three-junction cells. The simulation results showed that the module can achieve 25% annual efficiency. Moreover, it can be flexible to meet the requirements of car roof application.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/19/6951static CPVstatic concentratorsolid CPCflexible solar module
spellingShingle Hoang Vu
Ngoc Hai Vu
Seoyong Shin
Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
Energies
static CPV
static concentrator
solid CPC
flexible solar module
title Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
title_full Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
title_fullStr Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
title_full_unstemmed Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
title_short Static Concentrator Photovoltaics Module for Electric Vehicle Applications Based on Compound Parabolic Concentrator
title_sort static concentrator photovoltaics module for electric vehicle applications based on compound parabolic concentrator
topic static CPV
static concentrator
solid CPC
flexible solar module
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/19/6951
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AT ngochaivu staticconcentratorphotovoltaicsmoduleforelectricvehicleapplicationsbasedoncompoundparabolicconcentrator
AT seoyongshin staticconcentratorphotovoltaicsmoduleforelectricvehicleapplicationsbasedoncompoundparabolicconcentrator