Holographic Solar Concentrator

J. L. Hull; J. P. Lauer; D. C. Broadbent

doi:10.1117/12.936675

23 February 1987 Holographic Solar Concentrator

J. L. Hull, J. P. Lauer, D. C. Broadbent

Proceedings Volume 0692, Materials and Optics for Solar Energy Conversion and Advanced Lightning Technology; (1987) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.936675
Event: 30th Annual Technical Symposium, 1986, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The approach selected is the fabrication of holographic optical elements, which will focus sunlight to either a line or a point. A concentrating mirror is replicated in the hologram which consists of dichromate gelatin exposed to a laser beam. The dichromate gelatin can be processed to produce a nonuniform microstructure, which gives the hologram a significant waveband width. Even so, it becomes necessary to stack at least three holograms, with each hologram reflecting a different region of the solar spectrum, if we are to reflect most of the solar energy. To achieve high efficiency, it is necessary to obtain adjacent quasi-square waves for the efficiency-wavelength profile of each of the holograms in the stack. Profile information was obtained by the use of a monochromator coupled to a computer. An optical efficiency in excess of 50 percent was measured for a three hologram stack. This represents approximately 70 percent of the efficiency achievable within the limited measuring range of the monochromator. A line-focus holographic concentrator model has been built for demonstration purposes. A cost analysis for mass producing holographic concentrators indicates that holographic concentrators become cost effective in relation to mass-produced conventional concentrators when the holographic optical efficiency exceeds 70 percent. To surpass this number, it becomes necessary to produce a five hologram stack and to broaden the monochromator optical sensitivity range.

Citation Download Citation

J. L. Hull, J. P. Lauer, and D. C. Broadbent "Holographic Solar Concentrator", Proc. SPIE 0692, Materials and Optics for Solar Energy Conversion and Advanced Lightning Technology, (23 February 1987); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.936675

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