Side-Absorption Concentrated Solar System Applied to Energy-Generation Window

The project develops a side-absorption concentrated solar system for window applications. The proposed system enables the residential windows not only to have the functions of ventilation and natural lighting but also to bring about the benefit of energy creation. The collected sunlight can be converted into the electricity as well as the heat energy for arbitrary applications. In the first year of the project, the design, fabrication and verification of a side-absorption concentrated photovoltaic louver (SCPL) with a single leaf will be conducted to optimize the photoelectric conversion efficiency. In the second year, the single-leaf SCPL will be arrayed to form a SCPL with multiple leaves. Moreover, in order to improve solar cell efficiency, the back side of the solar cell will be connected to a heat-collector, so that the waste heat of solar cell is properly collected, and an side-absorption concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) louver can be realized. In the third year, the concentrated optics is further improved, so that the infrared and the non-infrared spectra will be derived from different output ports. The output port of the infrared spectrum is connected with the heat collector, while the output end of the non-infrared spectrum is connected with the solar cell. Thus, the proposed system can produce electricity and heat at the same time and forms another side-absorption concentrated (PV/T) louver for the efficient co-generation of photovoltaic/thermal energy. In addition, the proposed side-absorption concentrated solar system generates the electricity which can directly supply to household appliances and to energy-storage elements, while the collected heat energy can be used to the thermal applications, such as water heating, adsorption air-conditioner, and so on, inside the building. Therefore, the research and development of the proposed system helps to achieve a window type of energy-creation system. Since the generated energy will directly apply to the energy demands inside the building, so there is no need for grid connection and the connection costs. Another benefit of the proposed system is to help residents to reduce the reliance on traditional coal-fired and gas-fired power generation. Thus, the proposed system contributes to reducing the air pollution and resolving the PM2.5 issue.