Parabolic Photovoltaic Solar Tower

[Solarguy]

I am attempting to design my own Parabolic photovoltaic solar tower for a school project. I am working on numbers at the moment, but any helpful Ideas about mirror angles or Pv collector chip placement would really be great. Also I plan on using a shaped Non-Imaging Fresnel lens to help concentrate the sunlight on my collectors. I hope to be able to build a small scale model which would be capable of powering one 110v electrical outlet. I only have 5 weeks to design and build this model so any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[berkeman]

What is the maximum light power flux density that your solar cells will be able to withstand? Like, what is their maximum rated junction temperature, and how are you heat sinking them? What is the thermal resistance of your heat sinking arrangement?

With the above info, you can calculate the maximum concentration ratio of your lensing system. Most of the concentration-based solar converters that I've seen use thermal-based conversion and a high concentration ratio. If you're going to use solar cells for the conversion, I would guess that the maximum concentration ratio would be like 4x or so? Maybe more with very effective heat sinking...

 

[ravenprp]

Hello there,

Designing a Parabolic photovoltaic solar tower for a school project is a great idea! It is always exciting to see students taking an interest in renewable energy and sustainable solutions. As for your questions about mirror angles and PV collector chip placement, there are a few factors to consider.

Firstly, the angle of the mirrors should be optimized to capture the most sunlight possible throughout the day. This means that the mirrors should be adjustable to track the movement of the sun. A good starting point would be to set the mirrors at a 45-degree angle, but you may need to adjust this based on your location and the season.

Secondly, the placement of the PV collector chips is also important. They should be positioned at the focal point of the parabolic reflectors to receive the most concentrated sunlight. You may need to do some calculations to determine the exact placement, but a general rule of thumb is to place the collector chips at the center of the parabolic curve.

Using a shaped Non-Imaging Fresnel lens is a great idea to help concentrate the sunlight even further. Just make sure to properly align the lens with the parabolic reflectors to maximize its effectiveness.

In terms of building a small-scale model that can power one 110v electrical outlet, it is definitely doable. However, it will require careful planning and efficient design. You may want to consider using high-efficiency PV collector chips and optimizing the angle and placement of the mirrors to maximize the energy output.

Lastly, with only 5 weeks to design and build your model, it is important to stay organized and prioritize your tasks. Make sure to do thorough research and plan out your design before starting the construction process. Also, don't hesitate to seek help from your teachers or other experts in the field if you encounter any challenges.

I wish you all the best in your project and hope that it inspires you to continue exploring renewable energy solutions in the future. Good luck!