Design of folded holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system for direct and diffuse illumination conditions

Yuechen Wu; Shelby D. Vorndran; Juan M. Russo; Silvana Ayala; Raymond K. Kostuk

doi:10.1117/12.2060882

7 October 2014 Design of folded holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system for direct and diffuse illumination conditions

Yuechen Wu, Shelby D. Vorndran, Juan M. Russo, Silvana Ayala, Raymond K. Kostuk

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9175, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications IX; 91750G (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2060882
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Spectrum-splitting is a beneficial technique to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This method divides the incident solar spectrum into spectral components that are spatially separated and directed to PV cells with matching spectral responsivity characteristics. This approach eliminates problems associated with current and lattice matching that must be maintained in tandem multi-junction systems. In this paper, a two-junction holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system is demonstrated with a folded PV geometry. The system is designed to use both direct and diffuse solar irradiation. It consists of holographic elements, a wedge-shaped optical guide, and PV substrates with back reflectors. The holographic elements and back reflectors spatially separate the incident solar spectrum and project spectral components onto matching PV cell types. In addition, the wedge-shaped optical guide traps diffuse illumination inside the system to increase absorption. In this paper, the wedge spectrum splitting system is analyzed using tabulated data for InGaP2/GaAs cells with direct illumination combined with experimental data for reflection volume holograms. A system efficiency of 31.42% is obtained with experimental reflection hologram data. This efficiency is a 21.42% improvement over a similar system that uses one PV cell with the highest efficiency (GaAs). Simulation results show large acceptance angle for both in-plane and out-of plane directions. Simulation of the output power of the system with different configurations at different times of the year are also presented.

Citation Download Citation

Yuechen Wu, Shelby D. Vorndran, Juan M. Russo, Silvana Ayala, and Raymond K. Kostuk "Design of folded holographic spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system for direct and diffuse illumination conditions", Proc. SPIE 9175, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Energy Applications IX, 91750G (7 October 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2060882

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE