Novel Integration Strategies with Photovoltaics Using Different Compound Parabolic Concentrator Geometries: Optical, Thermal, and Scalable Investigations

Abstract

This thesis investigates the integration of advanced photovoltaic devices with non-imaging optical concentrators, with emphasis on understanding their optical and thermal behaviour under illumination. The research addresses the dual challenges of enhancing photon capture while reducing thermally induced degradation, both of which are critical for the scalability, stability and durability of concentrator photovoltaics. A range of photovoltaic devices, including carbon-based perovskite solar cells (c-PSCs), silicon solar cells and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs), were fabricated and experimentally integrated with cross-compound parabolic concentrators (CCPCs) and dielectric asymmetric compound parabolic concentrators (DiACPCs). c-PSCs were integrated with CCPCs using adhesive coupling, followed by optimisation through reflective films, anti-reflective coatings, and the development of a novel cooling system. Silicon solar cells are integrated with DiACPC using adhesives with different angles of incidence studied, thermal studies, and optical coatings applied, including reflective and anti-reflective coatings. The silicon solar cell-concentrator device was then assembled into modules consisting of five devices connected in series for BIPV applications, with a reference module used to study the optical improvement. The most significant contribution was the direct fabrication of DSSCs onto DiACPC receiver, starting with the ITO as the transparent conductive oxide, a first step towards concentrator-integrated device manufacturing without intermediary adhesives. To complement experimental results, COMSOL Multiphysics simulations were employed with heat transfer in solids. This model analysed temperature evolution in CCPC, CCPC with a passive cooling system and DiACPC, providing insights consistent with experimental findings. Overall, this work presents novel integration pathways through advanced optical coatings, direct concentrator-based fabrication, and engineered cooling strategies, thereby advancing the fundamental understanding of concentrator-cell interactions under light and heat stress. The findings establish new directions for scalable concentrator-integrated solar technologies with relevance to both laboratory research and building-integrated photovoltaic applications.