Hybrid CSP/PV Receivers: Converting Optical Spillage to Electricity

This paper evaluates a novel receiver design concept that implements photovoltaic (PV) cells on heat shields and bellows shields to capture optical spillage from central receiver and parabolic trough concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, generating electricity from concentrated light that would otherwise be wasted. A combination of conventional silicon and multi-junction concentrating PV (CPV) cells were evaluated to accommodate regions of both high and low solar fluxes on the shields. Estimates from existing CSP plants indicate that the irradiance on central-receiver heat shields can be well over 100 kW/m near the receiver tubes, but lower fluxes can occur in distant regions or in parabolic trough applications. A technoeconomic study was performed to estimate the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for these systems as a function of several cost and performance factors, such as irradiance, PV cell type, and cooling conditions.