Linear solar PV/T concentrator monitoring system and derivation of performance index

An analytical method for calculating the energy production by a linear solar PV/T concentrator has been presented. The solar module under test is a linear solar concentrator that can provide both electrical and thermal energy. Due to the rotation of the collector during the sun tracking, each collector shades the subsequent collector. This situation decreases the energy production of the solar module. The variation of the distance between subsequent collectors can modify the energy produced by the linear solar concentrator. The aim of this paper is to present a new model that can provide the energy produced by the sun module versus the distance between subsequent collectors. The model is obtained and validated by an accurate analysis and elaboration of experimental data measured on a prototype.