Comparative Performance Analysis of Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells Under Fresnel Lens Concentration and Direct Sunlight

Abstract

As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions escalates, improving the efficiency-to-cost ratio of solar photovoltaic (SPV) technologies has become a critical priority. This study presents an experimental evaluation of a Low-Concentration Photovoltaic (LCPV) system designed to enhance the performance of monocrystalline silicon solar cells using a cost-effective, spot-focus Fresnel lens. Unlike conventional High-Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) systems that rely on complex cooling and precise sun-tracking mechanisms, this research explores a simplified approach by optimizing the distance between the lens and the receiver—effectively "defocusing"—to balance power generation with thermal management. The experimental results demonstrate that the integration of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Fresnel lens significantly alters the electrical characteristics of the system compared to non-concentrated direct sunlight. The proposed LCPV setup achieved a relative power output increase of approximately 45%. This performance boost was driven by a substantial rise in short-circuit current (I_sc) and a modest improvement in open-circuit voltage (V_oc). Furthermore, the Fill Factor (FF) increased from 0.56 to 0.59, indicating improved charge carrier collection and reduced relative resistive losses under concentrated irradiation. These findings confirm that low-concentration systems offer a scalable, economically viable alternative to high-precision concentrators, providing significant efficiency gains with reduced mechanical complexity.

Keywords: Low-Concentration Photovoltaics (LCPV), Fresnel Lens Concentrator, Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cell, Solar Energy Efficiency, ill Factor Optimization, Photovoltaic Thermal Management.