Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) is one of the most promising renewable technologies owing to its high efficiency, scalability, low operating expense, and small environmental impact. However, there is much research and advancements to be made before CPV is established as a cost competitive energy technology. To this end, Morgan Solar has developed the Sun Simba, an innovative light weight and low cost CPV module. Under the “Advancing Photonics for Economical Concentration Systems” (APECS) project, outdoor CPV test and measurement systems were designed and constructed at the University of Ottawa and at Little Rock, CA. The performance and reliability of development stage Sun Simba modules installed at the University of Ottawa is assessed. The Little Rock test system was constructed for purposes of future comparison and assessment. To properly assess the performance, instrumentation and data acquisition systems to measure meterological parameters and the associated electrical performance are described and the long-term performance of Sun Simba modules installed at the University of Ottawa is summarized. A finite element model of a cell-on-carrier assembly was constructed to explore the parameter space of the carrier and suggest improvements in carrier design. The effect of carrier geometry, material choices, and convective boundary conditions and their influence on the cell efficiency is determined. The modelling results connected to the measured data is used to estimate the heat sinking capability of the second generation Sun Simba modules.

The aim of this document is to investigate through industrial design the potential of a high efficiency photovoltaic concentrator theory. The investigation directs a proposed layout for the design of a device, which specifically addresses the incorporation of the concentrator theory into the design of a photovoltaic ????????roof tile????????. The focus of the investigation has been the integration of theoretical constructs and physical realities. The objective is to facilitate this transition from theory to reality: to contribute to the quest of creating viable manufacturable designs for the generation of clean low cost electrical power. The use of a roof tile as the focus of the incorporating device served two purposes. Number one: it provided a sensible, existing platform, which is under utilised, presented potential and fitted within established building practices. It was not the objective of this thesis to argue that tile integration is the best, only or even the most financially viable direction to pursue; it was one option among many. This brings us to the second purpose; the consideration of existing roofing tiles forced the theory to be applied within set limitations, in particular existing size restrictions. The imposition of a framework to work within highlighted the design issues, which would have to be addressed in the actualisation of the theory. The theory????????s broad strategy for economic viability has been to reduce the actual silicone cell content of panel designs by approximately one third. This is achieved by the use of numerically fewer cells in combination with a concentration method, which does not cost more than the savings gained by the use of fewer cells. This document records the design process undertaken and presents the findings so that further development can be undertaken.

The aim of this document is to investigate through industrial design the potential of a high efficiency photovoltaic concentrator theory. The investigation directs a proposed layout for the design of a device, which specifically addresses the incorporation of the concentrator theory into the design of a photovoltaic ????????roof tile????????. The focus of the investigation has been the integration of theoretical constructs and physical realities. The objective is to facilitate this transition from theory to reality: to contribute to the quest of creating viable manufacturable designs for the generation of clean low cost electrical power. The use of a roof tile as the focus of the incorporating device served two purposes. Number one: it provided a sensible, existing platform, which is under utilised, presented potential and fitted within established building practices. It was not the objective of this thesis to argue that tile integration is the best, only or even the most financially viable direction to pursue; it was one option among many. This brings us to the second purpose; the consideration of existing roofing tiles forced the theory to be applied within set limitations, in particular existing size restrictions. The imposition of a framework to work within highlighted the design issues, which would have to be addressed in the actualisation of the theory. The theory????????s broad strategy for economic viability has been to reduce the actual silicone cell content of panel designs by approximately one third. This is achieved by the use of numerically fewer cells in combination with a concentration method, which does not cost more than the savings gained by the use of fewer cells. This document records the design process undertaken and presents the findings so that further development can be undertaken.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / This paper at first gives a brief historical review of Chinese development of telemetering onboard system and then make a brief introduction of new onboard system from several respects.

This paper presents a segmented parabolic concentrator employing holographic spectral filters that provide focusing and spectral bandwidth separation capability to the system. Strips of low band gap silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells are formed into a parabolic surface as shown by Holman et. al. [1]. The surface of the PV segments is covered with holographic elements formed in dichromated gelatin. The holographic elements are designed to transmit longer wavelengths to silicon cells, and to reflect short wavelength light towards a secondary collector where high-bandgap PV cells are mounted. The system can be optimized for different combinations of diffuse and direct solar illumination conditions for particular geographical locations by controlling the concentration ratio and filtering properties of the holographic elements. In addition, the reflectivity of the back contact of the silicon cells is used to increase the optical path length and light trapping. This potentially allows the use of thin film silicon for the low bandgap PV cell material. The optical design combines the focusing properties of the parabolic concentrator and the holographic element to control the concentration ratio and uniformity of the spectral distribution at the high bandgap cell location. The presentation concludes with a comparison of different spectrum splitting holographic filter materials for this application.

To optimise the performance of concentrating solar power systems, a detailed knowledge of the resultant flux distribution in the imaging plane is required. To achieve this, an accurate model of the direct solar beam impinging on the concentrator is essential. This thesis presents an empirical model of the terrestrial solar distribution that has both a high-correlation to observed data and an invariance to a change in location. The model is based on the amount of circumsolar radiation in the direct beam and takes into account the small variations that are due to atmospheric scattering. A modelling framework is developed to simulate the flux distribution in the imaging plane of a generic solar concentrating system. Algorithms are developed to include the following: the spatial solar energy distribution; the systemic effect of reflecting that distribution off a non-ideal mirrored surface; the spectral energy distribution; the transmission, absorption and reflection characteristics of optical thin films; and the coordinates of the solar vector. The framework is then used to investigate the performance of anti-reflection coatings on silicon substrates and the performance of linear Fresnel systems. Combined, these algorithms and simulation tools can be applied to create comprehensive optical models of solar concentrating systems.

The purpose has been to investigate leisure-time centers actual work on children with attention deficit disorder. In addition, the study strives to make leisure-time centers way of working, in relation to their assignments, visible. The study has also compared how the leisure-time centers work and what the research says. The survey was conducted with the help of three exploratory interviews with pedagogues and three-piece observations at the leisure-time centers. It was carried out at three different schools in two counties in Sweden.The results of the survey show that the schools are trying to create clear procedures, though the centers succeed with this in varied degrees. Likewise, pedagogues at the centers have the theoretical knowledge of how they can help children with difficulties, but the working methods that is designed to work for all children is diverse. Practical things to consider in work concerning children with attention difficulties is to always have well-planned activities and it is important to have a good approach to these children. / Syftet har varit att undersöka fritidshemmets faktiska arbete kring barn med koncentrationssvårigheter. Dessutom har syftet varit att synliggöra fritidshemmets arbete i relation till deras uppdrag, samt studera hur fritidshemmet arbetar kring dessa barn i jämförelse med vad forskningen rekommenderar. Undersökningen har genomförts med hjälp av tre stycken explorativa intervjuer med fritidspedagoger, och tre stycken observationer på fritidshem på tre olika skolor fördelat på två län.Resultatet av undersökningen visar att skolorna försöker skapa tydliga rutiner, men att de lyckas i varierad grad. Likaså har pedagogerna teoretiska kunskaper i hur de kan underlätta för elever med koncentrationssvårigheter, men att fritidshemmens arbetsmetoder som är utarbetade för att fungera för alla barn på fritidshemmet är varierande. Praktiska saker att tänka på i arbetet kring barn med koncentrationssvårigheter är att alltid ha en välplanerad verksamhet, samt att det är viktigt med ett bra förhållningssätt till dessa barn.

To optimise the performance of concentrating solar power systems, a detailed knowledge of the resultant flux distribution in the imaging plane is required. To achieve this, an accurate model of the direct solar beam impinging on the concentrator is essential. This thesis presents an empirical model of the terrestrial solar distribution that has both a high-correlation to observed data and an invariance to a change in location. The model is based on the amount of circumsolar radiation in the direct beam and takes into account the small variations that are due to atmospheric scattering. A modelling framework is developed to simulate the flux distribution in the imaging plane of a generic solar concentrating system. Algorithms are developed to include the following: the spatial solar energy distribution; the systemic effect of reflecting that distribution off a non-ideal mirrored surface; the spectral energy distribution; the transmission, absorption and reflection characteristics of optical thin films; and the coordinates of the solar vector. The framework is then used to investigate the performance of anti-reflection coatings on silicon substrates and the performance of linear Fresnel systems. Combined, these algorithms and simulation tools can be applied to create comprehensive optical models of solar concentrating systems.

Published Article / The world is increasingly being misused by its inhabitants by the wasteful manner that its resources are utilized and the amount of pollution that is generated in the environment. This practice is unsustainable and it is incumbent on the present generation of decision-makers to rectify this phenomenon if our descendants are to have an opportunity to live life in the same manner as we do. Special emphasis should be placed on a reduction in the amount of air pollution that is created by electrical power generating plants, as well as the manner in which potable water is utilized and wasted. In this article the local situation with respect to the generation and use of electrical energy and water is discussed. It is encouraging to see that the National Government is taking strong steps to address these problems. Yet, it might not have the required ability to finance these efforts fully.

Finding cleaner and sustainable energy resources is one of the most important concerns for the development of humanity. Solar energy is taking an essential role in this matter as the production cost of solar collectors is decreasing and more solar installations are being set up every year throughout the world. One way of reducing the cost of solar panels is by using concentrators that are cheaper than the costly photovoltaic cells and can increase their output. Solarus AB designed a Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) hybrid collector that uses this principle and which is a variation of the Maximum Reflector Collector (MaReCo) design and is a Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC). This thesis has two main objectives. The first one is to design variations of the actual Solarus’ design and some alternative MaReCo designs and pure parabola designs. These designs include new solar cell cuts which are based on 4 busbar solar cells. In this way a future in-depth analysis may be carried out by comparing different receiver designs and collector boxes. The second goal is to investigate the current electrical and thermal performance of the collectors from Solarus AB which are installed in the Hus 45 of HiG. The appropriate data of the installation has been obtained using simulations and specific software, and it has been analysed with Microsoft Excel®. Concerning the new designs of the receivers and boxes, everything has been prepared for the future construction of the prototypes. All the measurements and their adjustments have been taken into account to define the size of the components and the process of building has been set up. Moreover, some future work has been planned in order to move forward the project. Regarding the analysis of the HiG installation, both electrical and thermal performance have resulted to be significantly lower compared with their estimated simulation, being their real output around 60 % of the estimated one. In the thermal part, the losses in the pipeline result to be more than a third part of the produced heat. In the electrical part, the production varies a lot between different collectors due to some of them do not work properly, consequence of poor condition of the solar panels (broken cells, dirt, shading, etc.).