High performance Fresnel-based photovoltaic concentrator

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Materials Science

Background:

• Achieving competitive system costs in mass-produced concentrating solar power (CSP) systems requires optics with sufficient manufacturing tolerances.
• Conventional Fresnel-based concentrators often face limitations in tolerance and light homogenization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an advanced concentrator optic design for CSP applications.
• To demonstrate high light concentration with manufacturing tolerance and excellent light homogenization.
• To compare the performance against conventional Fresnel-based CSP concentrators.

Main Methods:

• Design and simulation of a novel concentrator optic.
• Incorporation of a Fresnel lens and a refractive secondary element with broken rotational symmetry.
• Analysis of light concentration, acceptance angle, and homogenization via Köhler integration.

Main Results:

• The proposed optic achieves high light concentration with a high acceptance angle, indicating significant manufacturing tolerance.
• Excellent light homogenization is achieved through Köhler integration.
• The novel concentrator optic demonstrates comparable or superior performance to conventional Fresnel-based designs.

Conclusions:

• The advanced concentrator optic design is suitable for mass production due to its high tolerance.
• This design offers a viable alternative to conventional CSP concentrators, potentially reducing system costs.
• The combination of high concentration, tolerance, and homogenization enhances the efficiency and manufacturability of CSP systems.