Solar Energy Concentrator‐Based Theories

Abstract

Increasing the electrical conversion efficiency (ECE) of a solar cell is of great interest in order to convert sun power into electricity with higher efficiency using photovoltaic (PV) systems. The present chapter will focus on solar energy concentrators (SECs), also called PV concentrators, to increase, on one hand, the ECE of a solar cell and to reduce, on the other hand, the cost of its manufacturing using less silicon material. To achieve this, an optical theoretical study is done to better design and use PV concentrator systems to replace conventional PV systems using smart optics systems such as mirrors, also called Fresnel lenses, to focus the captured sun radiation on the solar cell area for higher conversion efficiency with less silicon material, thus reducing the cost of its manufacturing.