Concentrating solar photovoltaic-thermal hybrid systems

摘要

The system 10 comprises: a hybrid solar receiver 20, having a photovoltaic module 21, operatively coupled to the system to deliver an electrical output power Po for a power user; and a thermal collector 22. The photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector are movably mounted in the system. Thermal storage 42 is thermally connected to the thermal collector to store heat collected at the thermal collector and positioning unit 30 is adapted to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector. The positioning unit moves the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector to change a ratio of an intensity of radiation received at the photovoltaic module to an intensity of radiation received at the thermal collector. The system matches electrical power to demand and efficiency is increased by storing surplus energy thermally rather than electrically using a battery. The system further comprises a parabolic concentrating solar reflector.