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Complex solar energy conversion array

Authors: Emil Bruj, Adrian Bot, Vasile Rednic, Sergiu Pogăcian, Bogdan Belean, Ioan Mișan, Teodora Murariu, Gabriel Roșca

Keywords: solar energy, solar tracking system, thermoelectric elements, combined heat and power cogeneration

Applications

The system produces both electrical and thermal energy; for this reason, it can serve as well domestic consumers, tourist hostels, small farms and commercial premises.

The power of the system depends on the number of photovoltaic panels and the number of solar concentrators (Fresnel lenses) installed. In the minimum configuration – two photovoltaic panels and two Fresnel lenses – the system has an installed power of 1 kWelectrical and 1 kWthermal.

Innovative aspects

The complex assembly has the following elements combined and integrated in the same system:

  • high angular positioning accuracy of the solar tracking system
  • a cavity-type solar receiver model with an innovative high thermal efficiency design
  • produces direct electricity using photovoltaic panels and thermoelectric elements
  • heat recovery system for thermal energy cogeneration
  • allows mounting of different types of solar receivers and their precise adjustment in 3 axes.

Technology

The array has been designed in such a way that it can be continuously oriented, following the diurnal movement of the sun. The assembly consists of:

  • solar tracking system with continuous elevation and azimuthal motion by using two motor assemblies with planetary and worm-wheel gears
  • photovoltaic panels for direct conversion of solar energy into electricity
  • Fresnel lenses for concentrating solar radiation
  • receiving devices for the conversion of solar radiation into thermal energy, including thermoelectric elements for the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy, connected as a whole by means of a pyramidal support, and heat recuperators for the cogeneration of thermal energy.

The concept of the assembly is flexible and can be configured with two or more photovoltaic panels or Fresnel lens elements depending on the user’s needs.

Inverters and storage batteries are used to convert and store the energy produced by the photovoltaic panels and thermoelectric elements.

Control of the motors for the continuous sun-tracking motion is done by a software product.

Advantages

  • uses clean energy sources: solar energy
  • the solar tracking system alloes the continuously orientation throughout the day of the solar energy receiving, concentrating and converting elements in order to maximize the captured energy
  • produces electricity directly from photovoltaic panels as well as thermoelectric elements, and also has a heat recovery system for thermal cogeneration
  • uses Fresnel-type acrylic lenses which, compared to conventional concentrators, are much lighter, have high resistance to external shocks, low cost and avoid the shading problem of parabolic dish concentrators
  • scalability: can be adapted to the specific needs of the user by adjusting the number of photovoltaic panels and Fresnel lenses that can be mounted on the tracking system

Patent

Patent 132727 (A0) / 30.07.2018

Title: Complex assembly for the conversion of solar energy into thermal and electrical energy
Inventors: Bruj Emil, Bot Adrian, Bot Adrian, Rednic Vasile, Pogăcian Sergiu, Belean Sergiu, Belean Bogdan, Mișan Ioan, Murariu Teodora, Roșca Gabriel