High concentration solar collector of the stepped spherical type: optical design characteristics

An analysis of the optical design characteristics of a new high concentration solar collector is presented. This type of collector consists of spherical segments that are sections of a spherical cap by planes perpendicular to its axis. These ring-shaped spherical segments are so arranged along their common axis that the planes of their circles of least confusion are superposed. The optical characteristics and simulation of this system are developed to provide information for the engineering design of this type of solar energy collector system. The calculations are checked by a laser scanning onto a breadboard mock-up.