Performance Analysis of a Prototype High-Concentration Photovoltaic System Coupled to Silica Optical Fibers

Abstract

High-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems are one of the most promising technologies for the generation of renewable energy with high-conversion efficiency. Their development is still at an early stage, but the possibility of integrating high-concentration systems into buildings offers new opportunities to achieve the net-zero-energy building goal. Herein, the optical and energetic performance of a hybrid daylighting−HCPV prototype based on pure- or doped-silica optical fibers (OFs) to guide 2000× concentrated sunlight inside the buildings is evaluated. There, the light can either be used to illuminate interior spaces or projected on solar cells to generate electricity. The system equipped with a single 400 μm core-diameter OF is demonstrated to achieve a total efficiency of 15% and an optical efficiency of 45%.