Optimum design for a static LCPV concentrator using nanocomposite high refractive index material

Abstract

In this work we introduce novel criteria for optimizing the design of a Modified Prism-Coupled-Compound Parabola trackless stationary photovoltaic concentrator. In order to take full advantage of a high refractive index secondary optics, to increase the effective solar concentration at fixed aspect ratio, the secondary optics is here constituted by a hybrid nanocomposite dielectric material, based on titania-anatase nanoparticles. By modelling the impact of Rayleigh scattering on the concentrator performance, it is shown that the radius of the nanoparticles must not exceed 3nm, to limit optical loss and therefore optimize the effective optical concentration.