High performance Fresnel-based photovoltaic concentrator.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Achieving competitive system costs in mass-production for concentrating solar power (CSP) is vital.
• Current CSP concentrators often require tight manufacturing tolerances, increasing costs.
• There is a need for CSP optics that balance high light concentration with manufacturing feasibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an advanced concentrator optic design for CSP systems.
• To demonstrate high light concentration with manufacturing tolerances.
• To achieve excellent light homogenization for improved performance.

Main Methods:

• Design of a novel concentrator optic using a Fresnel lens and a refractive secondary element.
• Incorporation of broken rotational symmetry in both optical components.
• Analysis of light concentration, acceptance angle, and homogenization properties.

Main Results:

• The proposed optic achieves high light concentration with a high acceptance angle, indicating manufacturing tolerance.
• Köhler integration ensures excellent light homogenization.
• Performance comparable to conventional Fresnel-based CSP concentrators is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The developed concentrator optic design meets the requirements for cost-effective mass production in CSP.
• The optic offers a favorable combination of high tolerance and excellent light homogenization.
• This design presents a viable alternative to conventional Fresnel-based CSP concentrators.