Numerical Simulation of the Thermal Performance of Four Concentrating Collectors with Bifacial PV Cells

Bifacial photovoltaic cells can produce electricity from the incoming solar radiation on both sides. Used in combination with concentrating solar technology, bifacial photovoltaic cells can see its electrical output further augmented, thus decreasing the cost per kWh. It is known, however, that the efficiency reduction when these cells are exposed to increased temperatures is a relevant factor. This can happen, for example, when they are mounted on a glassed collector or receiver. In this study, a thermal analysis is carried out on four prototypes of concentrating collectors with bifacial PV cells. Results show that, as expected, when glass and gables are removed from the collector, much better heat dissipation is achieved, thus resulting in favorable cell operation conditions.