Title: Design and machining of Fresnel solar concentrator surfaces

Authors: Y. Cheng; X.D. Zhang; G.X. Zhang

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, China ' State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, China ' State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University, 300072, China

Abstract: Fresnel lens is found to simplify the system structure and enhance the performance of photovoltaic systems. The flat and arched shape Fresnel lens surfaces are designed, respectively, based on 2D geometric construction method (GCM) in this paper. The slope facets of Fresnel lens are simplified as points, which control the light accurately. This theory is applied for large aperture optical elements to realise light and thin design. The designed concentrator surfaces are fabricated by ultra-precision turning technology. The performance of Fresnel concentrator is checked by testing the efficiency of solar cell, and the experimental results prove that the proposed design method of Fresnel concentrator surfaces meets the application requirements on photovoltaic system.

Keywords: optical surfaces; Fresnel concentrators; Fresnel lens surfaces; GCM; geometric construction method; ultra-precision turning; nonimaging optics; solar concentrators; concentrator surfaces; concentrator design; concentrator manufacturing; photovoltaic systems; PV systems; solar energy; solar power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2013.058257

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2013 Vol.3 No.4, pp.354 - 369

Published online: 11 Dec 2013 *

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