Planar single-element gradient-index solar lenses for concentrator photovoltaics

Panagiotis Kotsidas; Vijay Modi; Jeffrey M. Gordon

doi:10.1117/12.928408

11 October 2012 Planar single-element gradient-index solar lenses for concentrator photovoltaics

Panagiotis Kotsidas, Vijay Modi, Jeffrey M. Gordon

Proceedings Volume 8485, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration IX; 848507 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928408
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present the design and simulation of first-ever planar single-element solar lenses (modified hemispherical gradientindex structures) for concentrator photovoltaic applications, with high collection efficiency and liberal optical tolerance at averaged cell irradiance levels exceeding 1000 suns. These compact lens designs satisfy the severe constraints of the refractive indices of viable polymeric materials and fabrication techniques, for visible and near-infrared radiation. The planar hemispherical gradient-index lens for a far-field (solar) source is created from a near-field unit magnification spherical gradient-index lens. Our new solutions incorporate a constant-index core (crucial for manufacturability). Simulations include a polychromatic and extended sun. A sample design for an f/1.40 solar lens is provided, where planar lenses comprise a concentrator module's protective glazing, with loss-less packing due to a square lens entry allowed by the modified truncated (non-full aperture) design, without incremental optical losses.

Citation Download Citation

Panagiotis Kotsidas, Vijay Modi, and Jeffrey M. Gordon "Planar single-element gradient-index solar lenses for concentrator photovoltaics", Proc. SPIE 8485, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration IX, 848507 (11 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928408

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KEYWORDS

GRIN lenses

Spherical lenses

Solar concentrators

Lenses

Sun

Near field

Near field optics

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