Numerical Analysis of Parabolic Solar Dish Design for Simultaneous Solar Lighting and Energy Harvesting

Global energy consumption is increasing continuously. Considering sustainable energy solutions, this paper introduces a novel solar energy harvesting system that produces light during the day and electrical energy concurrently. The system consists of a parabolic solar dish which serves as the system’s sunlight reflector. The sunlight is carried via optical fibers and then irradiated to an interior photovoltaic (PV) panel to harness electrical energy or use it directly as a light source during the daytime. Besides, a thermocouple is introduced that utilizes extra heat on the receiver surface, transforming the thermal energy into electrical power in addition to PV power generation. It is found that the proposed system’s efficiency is 17.6%. The idea of generating light and electricity simultaneously is promising for limited space on the rooftop and heavily congested areas where sunlight can’t enter into building easily.