Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells

Fahad G. Al-Amri

doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Original Research

JE&AS. 2016; 3(1): 37-48

doi: 10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells

Fahad G. Al-Amri.

Abstract
The modern multi-junction concentrating solar cell is an emerging technology that is expected to play a crucial role in achieving solutions to energic and environmental challenges that the world faces today. A potential technical limit to widespread adoption of this technology is the degradation of solar cell efficiency at high operating temperatures. In this paper, a numerical heat transfer model is presented and applied to determine the effects of non-uniform incident illumination on the operating temperature of a triple-junction solar cell. Results show that even at quite low solar concentrations, maximum solar cell temperature significantly increased in the presence of non-uniform incident light, causing hot spots in some portions of the cell. Thus, a conventional cooling system, such as a plain channel, is insufficient for operating solar cells at reasonable temperatures under non-uniform illumination. However, the non-uniformity of the incident radiation has no effect on bulk fluid temperature and collected thermal energy at the duct exit.

Key words: Concentration solar cell; non-uniform illumination profile; active cooling; conjugate convection; surface radiation

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. JE&AS. 2016; 3(1): 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Web Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. https://jecasmu.org/?mno=91801 [Access: January 03, 2024]. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. JE&AS. 2016; 3(1): 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. JE&AS. (2016), [cited January 03, 2024]; 3(1): 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Harvard Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri (2016) Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. JE&AS, 3 (1), 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Turabian Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. 2016. Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences-JE&AS, 3 (1), 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

Chicago Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. "Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells." Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences-JE&AS 3 (2016), 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri. "Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells." Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences-JE&AS 3.1 (2016), 37-48. Print. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Fahad G. Al-Amri (2016) Non-uniform Incident Illumination Effect on the Thermal Performance of Low Concentrating Multi-Junction Solar Cells. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences-JE&AS, 3 (1), 37-48. doi:10.5455/jeas.2016050104