Proof-of-concept of a building-integrated hybrid concentrator photovoltaics-lighting system

A hybrid concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) module that combines the production of electricity and transports sunlight is proposed as a means to reduce the energy needs of buildings by two complementary solar energy approaches. Both concepts share the need for a solar tracker and an infrastructure to concentrate the sunlight which allows a reduction in costs of the proposed system. The CPV part is a well-known technology to produce electricity that serves as a host for the light subpart that transports sunlight through optical fibres. Measurements of a proof-of-concept show that in nominal conditions the lighting subpart is more efficient in the task of transporting sunlight than converting sunlight to electricity and then to light again. The efficiency threshold is a direct function of the fibre material and distance transported and the generated light is very similar to the solar light in terms of spectral content. Based on PMMA optical fibres and conventional CPV technology, the hybrid module converts 28.7% of the sunlight into electricity. Regarding the light transported by the optical fibres they slightly shift sunlight to bluish white but the quality of light is still comparable to a typical fluorescent lamp used in offices.