Concentrating Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Civil Engineering
Research Advisor
Baur, Stuart Werner, 1965-
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Fellows Program; Missouri S&T Solar House Team
Abstract
Although thermal concentrators are readily available, the market for Concentrating Photovoltaic and Thermal Collectors is a fairly untouched application. This combination of thermal heat transfer and photovoltaic energy generation, working in harmony to produce a benefit in both arenas, is a bold step into the common application of renewable energy generation and use. The tests conducted within this research helped to prove the theory that the thermal energy could be taken from the concentrated cell thus producing an increase in the solar output of the cell itself. The concentration of the parabolic trough emphasized this effect by focusing the solar output onto the collector and creating a large temperature differential within the system. This experiment and its results furthered the understanding of combined energy generation systems.
Biography
Andrew M. Adams is a first year senior majoring in Civil Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology and a transfer student from Missouri State University and a graduate of Nixa High School. He took a Co-Op in Fall of '09 with the Missouri S&T Show-Me Solar House team to participate in the U.S. DOE 2009 Solar Decathlon. He is presently Lead Civil Engineer for the 2011 Show-Me Solar House Team, a member of Engineers without Borders, and an active member in various research projects at Missouri S&T.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Engineering oral presentation, First place
Location
Ozark Room
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Concentrating Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector
Ozark Room
Although thermal concentrators are readily available, the market for Concentrating Photovoltaic and Thermal Collectors is a fairly untouched application. This combination of thermal heat transfer and photovoltaic energy generation, working in harmony to produce a benefit in both arenas, is a bold step into the common application of renewable energy generation and use. The tests conducted within this research helped to prove the theory that the thermal energy could be taken from the concentrated cell thus producing an increase in the solar output of the cell itself. The concentration of the parabolic trough emphasized this effect by focusing the solar output onto the collector and creating a large temperature differential within the system. This experiment and its results furthered the understanding of combined energy generation systems.
Comments
Joint Project with Benjamin Brannon and Cory Brennan