Liquid solar array PV concentrator

Abstract

PV concentrators appear to offer significant potential saving cost. However, to date the potential saving have not yet realized due to complexities arising mainly from the mass of the physical structure needed to provide adequate support from the concentrator, cells and tracking mechanism in adverse weather condition. This report shows a mean whereby all major limitations, and cost, may be considered reduced by adopting a configuration, termed the “Liquid Solar Array” (LSA) where each element of floating array comprises a raft supporting solar tracking lens in partially-submerged water cooled PV cell assembly. An important feature of LSA is that lens can be submerged in windy conditions thereby reducing structural requirements in comparison to PV concentrator cell arrays. The paper shows that the LSA structural cost saving outweigh the cost any associated complications and lead to a projected capital cost of under US$1 per watt. The LSA mimics techniques employed by some plants that lie down to accommodate the wind, and others such as the Lotus flower that emerge from the water completely dry.