Novel design and thermodynamic analysis of a solar concentration PV and thermal combined system based on compact linear Fresnel reflector

Abstract A novel solar concentration photovoltaic (PV) and thermal combined system based on compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) concentrator is proposed. The configuration and structural design approach of the PV and thermal combined system are introduced. The spectral beam splitter is designed by using the Needle optimization approach. Solar concentrating processes are simulated and relevant results show a high solar concentrating uniformity provided by the proposed combined system. The investigations of optical performance and relevant influential factors reveal that there is an optimal solar panel installation height for the proposed combined system when the slope angle and width of solar cells are settled. The effect of sun tracking error on the optical performance is also studied. The energy conversion analysis is carried out and the results show that the PV and thermal combined system has higher PV conversion and overall energy efficiencies in comparison with the solar concentration PV system without beam splitter. Furthermore, the effect of solar thermal collector temperature is investigated and the results reveal that there is an optimal tube collector operating temperature which can lead to the maximum total output power and overall energy efficiency.