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

摘要

High-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems are one of the most promisingtechnologies for the generation of renewable energy with high-conversion efficiency.Their development is still at an early stage, but the possibility of integratinghigh-concentration systems into buildings offers new opportunities toachieve the net-zero-energy building goal. Herein, the optical and energeticperformance of a hybrid daylighting-HCPV prototype based on pure- or dopedsilicaoptical fibers (OFs) to guide 2000 concentrated sunlight inside thebuildings is evaluated. There, the light can either be used to illuminate interiorspaces or projected on solar cells to generate electricity. The system equippedwith a single 400 μm core-diameter OF is demonstrated to achieve a totalefficiency of 15% and an optical efficiency of 45%.