Performance Evaluation of the Solarus AB Asymmetric Concentrating Hybrid PV/T Collector

The energy sector is currently in a state of change as conventional energy sources are questioned by the need of new clean and sustainable energy sources to satisfy the global energy demand in the long term. Renewable energies respond to this increasing demand and solar energy is an advanced example of them. Photovoltaic modules are experiencing a steady reduction in their production costs. It is needed that this trend continues and, along with it, their propagation and expansion in the market continues. One way of reducing production costs is by using inexpensive light concentrators to increase the output of the costly photovoltaic cell. In this respect, the Solarus AB hybrid PV/T collector has been designed based on this principle. This collector is a CPC (Compound Parabolic Collector) and belongs to the MaReCo (Maximum Reflector Collector) family. The aim of this thesis is to deeply investigate this technology in two main areas. Firstly, the collector will be tested both electrically and thermally in order to evaluate its performance. To do so, a solar test rig has been built and connected at the building Hall 45 of Högskolan i Gävle, Gävle, Sweden. The second main area of investigation of this thesis is to determine the optimal price for the Solarus AB hybrid PV/T collector in order to be competitive in the solar energy market. This study will be based in the current market prices of photovoltaic and thermal collectors. Regarding the electrical performance of the collector, the results obtained show that the front side of the receiver produces more electricity throughout the day than the reflector side. This has guided Solarus AB to decide to change the design of its receiver to improve its performance. With the current design, it has been obtained a peak power at STC of 220W. In relation with the thermal part, the heat losses of the collector have been estimated obtaining a U value of 6,8W/(m2*K), a thermal optical beam efficiency of 63,5% and a total optical beam efficiency of 74,5%. The price market study of photovoltaic and thermal collector has shown that 2m2 of the Solarus AB hybrid PV/T collector produces approximately the same annual electricity and heat as 1,1m2 of a photovoltaic module with an efficiency of 15,5% and a flat plate collector of 0,85m2 of aperture area. According to the market study, its cost is equivalent to 190€ for the PV module and 220€ for the flat plate collector. This means that the price of the Solarus AB hybrid PV/T collector should be lower than 410€