green talk spring 2016

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PV Mirror A High-Efficiency Solar Module Wyatt Taylor

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Page 1: Green Talk Spring 2016

PV Mirror A High-Efficiency Solar Module

Wyatt Taylor

Page 2: Green Talk Spring 2016

Introduction• Sophomore in Mechanical Engineering• From Kingman, Arizona• Passionate about finding alternative energy

resources• Began working at the Steward Observatory in

October 2015

Page 3: Green Talk Spring 2016

Steward Observatory Solar Lab

Research Assistants:

Principal Investigator:

Professor Roger Angel

Ph.D. Student: Justin Hyatt

JJ Mrkonich

Lennon Reinhart

Wyatt Taylor

Page 4: Green Talk Spring 2016

Our Project• Combining traditional Photovoltaic (PV) cells

with Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).• Funded by the Advanced Research Projects

Agency of the US Department of Energy (ARPA-E).• Partner university – Arizona State University• Project Head: Professor Zachary Holman

• 3 year project (currently completing the second year).• 3 prototype stages.

Page 5: Green Talk Spring 2016

The Two Technologies: PV Cells• Photovoltaic solar cells are

found in private and commercial use.• Through the photovoltaic

effect, semiconductor materials convert solar energy into direct current electricity. • The only issue, some of the

light cannot be absorbed, and reflects off the surface. Current efficiency ratings range from 8-17%.

Page 6: Green Talk Spring 2016

The Two Technologies: CSP• Concentrated Solar Power is the method of reflecting sunlight to a particular point and harnessing the heat energy using a thermal absorber.• For our applications, we

are focusing on trough geometry.

Parabolic Trough Mirrors at Solana Generating Station

(Gila Bend, AZ)

HeliostatIVANPAH Solar Electric Generating Station (San Bernardino, CA) 392

MW

Page 7: Green Talk Spring 2016

Bringing the Two Together• In order to increase

overall efficiency, we combine the two methods.• Once sunlight hits the PV

mirror, the useable wavelengths are absorbed, the rest are reflected.• This is done using a

dichroic mirror film, specialized for separating the sunlight.

Page 8: Green Talk Spring 2016

First Stage: Slumping the Glass

• A piece of glass, placed on a stainless steel mold, is heated to around 1400°F.• The glass is allowed to relax as it cools,

therefore taking on the mold’s shape.• From here the curvature and line focus are

tested .

Page 9: Green Talk Spring 2016

Second Stage: Testing the Glass

• Using a fabricated vice setup, a laser is focused onto the glass, which reflects the light onto a screen.• Because of the model’s shape, all the reflected

light condenses into a single line focus at the radius of curvature (approx. 1.7 meters).• This must be done in complete darkness in

order to accurately measure the shape error.

Page 10: Green Talk Spring 2016

Third Stage: Cell Placement and Lamination

• After the glass passes inspection, PV cells are installed and it is laminated with the dichroic film. • The model is then

tested again for its shape error.

Page 11: Green Talk Spring 2016

Solar Testing• After the model is

completely finished, it can be tested for power efficiency.• Using a solar tracker

with azimuth and elevation movement, we are able to accurately track the sun in order to achieve maximum power output.

Page 12: Green Talk Spring 2016

Solar Testing• In order to attach the models to the tracker,

we built a mounting cage equipped with removable tip-tilt stages.

Page 13: Green Talk Spring 2016

Solar Testing• While focused on the sun,

the power generated by the PV cells is measured.• The reflected light is directed

to a calorimeter at the line focus.

Page 14: Green Talk Spring 2016

The Calorimeter• The calorimeter is essentially a piece of bent

copper sheeting with a copper pipe attached to both sides.• Thermistors measure the inlet and outlet

temperature of water flowing through the copper piping.

Page 15: Green Talk Spring 2016

Next Steps• As the second year ends, and the third and final

year begins, we will scale up to a third prototype.• Although the dimensions are still undetermined, it

will at least be a full scale tracker model (approx. 5ft square).

Page 16: Green Talk Spring 2016

Results

Page 17: Green Talk Spring 2016

Results

Page 18: Green Talk Spring 2016

Results

Page 19: Green Talk Spring 2016

Results• While the typical PV cell has around 8-17%

efficiency, our models, once full scale in prototype 3 will have approximately 32-37% efficiency.• This is only using standard solar cells,

therefore we could theoretically break records if we included more efficient ones.• This would defeat our mission of maintaining

an economical prospective on the project.

Page 20: Green Talk Spring 2016

Impact• Combining PV cells with CSP, creates great

opportunities in the solar industry.• This method is more economical and user

friendly to industry members.• Once installed, these modules will easily be

able to be replaced.• We hope our project is taking another step,

along with the many other research groups, towards a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future.

Page 21: Green Talk Spring 2016

Questions?