Improving the Packing Efficiency of Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems through a Novel Hexagonal Concentrator

Abstract

Building Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic systems have the potential of helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming as they can be designed not only to generate electricity but also to improve energy efficiency in buildings. These systems can incorporate static low concentration optics and PV cells within double glazed windows, skylights, and double skin facades. This paper addresses the issue of low packing density of solar concentrators used in low concentrating photovoltaic systems and proposes a novel 3-D hexagonal concentrator which offers 89.4% theoretical packing efficiency, which is 16.2% and 21.8% higher than the theoretical packing efficiencies of the circular and elliptical concentrators respectfully, the alternative 3-D concentrators discussed in this study.