| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L14992/01 |
| Title: |
LOW-COST INTEGRAL NON-IMAGING CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC BUILDING FACADES. |
| Principal Investigator: |
Eames, Professor PC |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Built Environment |
| Organisation: |
University of Ulster |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 November 1996 |
Ends: |
31 October 1999 |
Value (£): |
152,834
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Building Ops & Management |
Solar Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Construction |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Non-imaging optical reflectors providing solar concentration in the range two to three enable most available incident isolation to be harnessed while the area of semiconductor material required is reduced either by a half to a third respectively. To achieve a large total cost reduction, it is essential that the reflector sub-system is a marginal additional cost. The present study aims to develop an integrated system giving a 50% reduction in initial capital cost over present PV modules. Enhanced in-house computer-based models for unified optical and thermal analysis of concentrator systems will enable both instantaneous and annual optical efficiencies and temperatures of all system components to be determined for realistic angular-skyward insolation distributions and ambient conditions. A line-axis solar simulator will provide a precisely controlled test facility for accurate performance determination. Using this facility, the veracity of the developed models will be established. Integrated concentrating systems will be designed and optimised for arrange of European Climates. The developed designs will use a 3mm minimum PV strip width, leading to thin complete integrated systems. A range of generic fabrication options to be investigated. 0.5m2 systems will be constructed and tested in Northern Ireland and Spain.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ulst.ac.uk |