Utilization of Spillage in Solar Particle Power Plants With Concentrating Photovoltaics

Concentrating solar power plants are considered an important contributor to renewable energy supply due to their high efficiency and cost-effective storage. Solar tower systems using solid particles as a heat transfer and storage medium, in combination with concentrating photovoltaics (CPV), promise to reduce the levelized cost of energy. This study evaluates the cost potential from hybridizing solar power plants with CPV modules integrated into the radiation shield of a particle receiver, to capture spillage radiation that is otherwise lost. Simulation results for a commercial configuration case show that the annual electricity production could be increased by up to 12%, with levelized cost of electricity from the CPV part ranging from 0.02 to 0.024 €/kWh. The electric components of the CPV subsystem have by far the highest single component cost contribution, the cooling water loop adds a minor contribution. Further improvement options exist and are discussed briefly. A demonstration test in a real receiver application is currently under preparation in DLR’s solar tower test facility. Six CPV modules will be integrated into the radiation shield of a particle receiver. Solar testing will validate the performance and also provide information about potential dust contamination problems.