Feasibility study of using optical fibers as a light guide for indoor solar panel with analysis of output efficiency

Abstract

Solar energy is now a reasonable alternative to reduce our dependency on fossil fuel. However, the photovoltaic (PV) cell performance may degrade with high temperature. The PV panel will perform at its best as it gets more sunlight, but excessive heat exposure can reduce their efficiency in turning photons to electricity and optimum operating period. Sunlight consists of light and heat. Thus in this study, an extensive review of indoor solar panel is to be conducted, whereby an analysis of using optical fibre as a light guide will be experimented. Parameters of concern would be the amount of photons guided to the panel against the length of the fibres itself. It can be measured through the value of power output of DC load compared to conventional outdoor PV panel. The heat that comes along is also a concern thus simultaneous temperature measurements has been implemented. At the end of this study, the use of optical fibre as a light guide for indoor solar panel is optimized.