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Unfolded aplanats for high-concentration photovoltaics
Jeffrey M Gordon1, Daniel Feuermann, Pete Young
1Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel. jeff@bgu.ac.il
Optics Letters
|May 17, 2008
Summary
Dual-mirror unfolded aplanats offer a novel optical solution for high-concentration photovoltaics. These systems eliminate optical bonds, tolerate misalignment, and simplify solar cell and heat sink integration for efficient energy conversion.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Renewable Energy Technologies
Background:
- High-concentration photovoltaics (HCPV) demand advanced optical designs.
- Existing optical solutions face challenges including the need for optical bonds and limited tolerance to misalignment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate dual-mirror unfolded aplanats as a solution for HCPV optics.
- To address key exigencies: obviating optical bonds, maximizing optical tolerance, ensuring off-axis stability, and enabling convenient component placement.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis and design of dual-mirror unfolded aplanat systems.
- Incorporation of lens enhancement for improved compactness.
- Evaluation of performance metrics relevant to HCPV applications.
Main Results:
- Dual-mirror unfolded aplanats satisfy all specified criteria for HCPV optics.
- Lens enhancement significantly improves system compactness.
- Achieved concentrator depths of only a few centimeters for millimeter-scale cells.
Conclusions:
- Dual-mirror unfolded aplanats present a viable and advantageous optical solution for HCPV.
- The proposed optics are amenable to precise, large-volume fabrication.
- This design facilitates efficient and robust solar energy concentration.
