Modelling reflection profiles of a fixed planar reflector on a solar photovoltaic module

Abstract

One of the main responsible factors for the worldwide fast proceeding climate change, is the primary energy supply generated from conventional energy sources. To reduce the impact on the environment, the development of alternative energy technologies from renewable sources, like solar energy, has become a priority. Solar energy technologies are therefore being promoted by government policies and have been the subject of various research and optimisation projects. Studies to increase the efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) panel include the improvement through concentrators or reflectors. The objectives of this dissertation are to find the most optimal configurations of a fixed planar reflector and PV panel setup to investigate the increase in efficiency of the PV panel throughout the year. The mathematical modelling and comprehensive simulation studies of the proposed system under different assumptions and conditions were implemented in MATLAB® /Simulink to find the optimal parameters in terms of panel and reflector inclination angles, as well as reflector area to maximize the energy output of the PV panel. A total of eight different simulation sets were conducted for a whole year, represented by a day for each season and the two solstices. The output of this study shows the percentage area of the PV panel of length 1.5 m and width 1 m, which will be covered with the reflection from the fixed reflector for the different simulation sets. From the results achieved, it has been concluded that the performance of the reflector is dependent on the angle of the Sun. The length of the reflector affects the length of the reflection which is useful for when the Sun is at a lower altitude. The width of the reflector affects the duration during which the reflection covers the PV panel by 100 %. This study has shown that the most optimal results for a PV panel facing south and tilted at 30° during Spring and Summer can be achieved with a reflector tilted at 25°. Such a reflector with 1.755 m length and 3 m width gave an average percentage area covered of approximately 50 %. It has also been shown that during Autumn and Winter, a reflector with 2.898 m length and 3m width needs to be tilted at 15° to give an average percentage area covered of approximately 65 %.