A new optical concentrator design and analysis for rooftop solar applications

Cheng Zheng; Qiyuan Li; Gary Rosengarten; Evatt Hawkes; Robert A. Taylor

doi:10.1117/12.2186477

21 October 2015 A new optical concentrator design and analysis for rooftop solar applications

Cheng Zheng, Qiyuan Li, Gary Rosengarten, Evatt Hawkes, Robert A. Taylor

Proceedings Volume 9572, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XII; 957209 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186477
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In this paper, a new type of linear focus, linear-tracking, catadioptric concentrator system is proposed and analysed for roof-integrated solar thermal applications. The optical concentrator designs have a focal distance of less than 10cm and are analysed using optical simulation software (Zemax). The results show that a relatively high concentration ratio (4.5 ~ 5.9 times) can be obtained and that the concentrators are capable of achieving an average optical efficiency around 66 - 69% during the middle 6 hours of a sunny day (i.e. a day with ~1000W/m² global irradiance). Optical efficiency is analysed for perfect and non-ideal optical components to predict the collector performance under different ‘practical’ circumstances. Overall, we intend for this paper to catalyse the development of rooftop solar thermal concentrators with compact form factors, similar to PV panels.

Citation Download Citation

Cheng Zheng, Qiyuan Li, Gary Rosengarten, Evatt Hawkes, and Robert A. Taylor "A new optical concentrator design and analysis for rooftop solar applications", Proc. SPIE 9572, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XII, 957209 (21 October 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186477

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