Performance Analysis of One-Axis Tracking Photovoltaic System with Flat Mirrors
Abstract
This study examined the performance of a photovoltaic system with flat planar reflectors and south-to-north direction sun tracking system. In order to enhance sunlight collection with simple mechanism, the flat planar reflectors are connected to the solar cells alternately, which can track the sun by expansion and contraction of the system. The objectives are to find out the optimum operation of the inclination angle of the solar cell and to design the ratio of the length of the flat planar reflector and the solar cell by ray-tracing simulations. According to the simulation results, the larger the reflector is the more sunlight is collected in winter. On the other hand, in summer the shorter reflector is effective. The system with short reflector collects more sunlight and less area for installation than conventional PV system. Simulations show that the system with reflectors, which is 1.5 times longer than solar cell is the best in consideration of both concentration performance and area for installation. Its annual sunlight collection is 41 % higher and area for installation is 19 % smaller than those of conventional PV system. The experiments were conducted outside in August and September. The solar radiation intesity on the solar cell of the system was higher than that of conventional PV system throughout the experiment period by 40 - 50 %. Power output of the system was larger than that of conventional PV system by at most 50 % on August 24th and 20 % on September 14th. Non-uniformity of the reflected sunlight affects the output of the system.