Model veri fi cation and photo-thermal conversion assessment of a novel facade embedded compound parabolic concentrator

A novel facade embedded compound parabolic concentrator solar collector (FE-CPC-SC) with great application potential was proposed, which was aimed to capture and utilize the solar rays reaching the building facade. The optical models of beam and diffuse radiation were constructed for the designed physical model, which was based on Monte Carlo Ray-trace and numerical method. The optical simulation results showed that average optical efficiency for FE-CPC-SC system is approximately 64.51%. Additionally, a closed-loop photo-thermal conversion experiment with a maximum uncertainty of 10.24% was performed to verify the numerical heat transfer model of the photo-thermal conversion performance for FE-CPC-SC system. The experimental values of photo-thermal efficiency were in good agreement with the theoretical values, and the relative error was between-12.5% and 10.8%. According to the verified numerical model, the photo-thermal performance of FE-CPC-SC system applicable to four different latitudes was predicted and evaluated. The evaluation results presented that the annual heat gain in different latitudes (Kunming, Chengdu, Xi'an and Beijing) is 825.17, 447.84, 655.77 and 441.38 MJ/ m(2), respectively. Furthermore, the FE-CPC-SC system could meet the human-oriented thermal energy demand in an environmental-friendly way and alleviate the pressure on building energy consumption. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The novel FE-CPC-SC system, with an average optical efficiency of approximately 64.51%, shows good agreement between experimental and theoretical values in terms of photo-thermal performance. The system is capable of predicting heat gain at different latitudes and meeting thermal energy demand in an environmentally friendly way.