Optics related to solar technologies is a wide field of study. The topics covered in this Field Guide are frequently encountered in solar engineering and research for energy harvesting, particularly for electricity generation. The book includes: background on energy needs and usage, including where solar technologies fit into the energy mix; properties of the sun and foundations for solar energy collection; optical properties, concepts, and basic components; various optical systems used in solar engineering and solar energy collection; concepts for characterizing optical components/systems and analysis approaches; and measurement tools commonly used in solar engineering and research. The presentation is slanted toward solar thermal power, or as it is commonly called, concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies.

"This is a wonderful summary of all CSP optics. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced practitioner, this guide is an excellent reference. Each topic moves efficiently from basic concept to theory, including necessary math foundations, and the Equation Summary is very helpful. PV and CPV folks will find it to be a handy solar desk reference as well."
-Jim Clair, President, Skysun, LLC

The Field Guide to Solar Optics consolidates and summarizes optical topics in solar technologies and engineering that are dispersed throughout the literature. The field guide also attempts to clarify topics and terms that could be confusing or at times misused.

As with any technology area, optics related to solar technologies can be a wide-ranging field. The topics selected for this field guide are those frequently encountered in solar engineering and research for energy harvesting, particularly for electricity generation. Therefore, the selected topics are slanted toward solar thermal power, or as it is commonly called, concentrating solar power.

The first section of the field guide provides background on energy needs and usage, and explains where solar technologies fit into the energy mix. Section 2 covers properties of the sun and presents our basic understanding of solar energy collection. The third section introduces optical properties, concepts, and basic components. In Section 4, the various optical systems used in solar engineering are described. Optical systems used for solar energy collection are commonly referred to as collectors (e.g., a collector field)—a term that is frequently used in this field guide. Another term commonly applied in solar collectors is nonimaging optics. The fifth section introduces concepts for characterizing optical components/systems and analysis approaches. The measurement tools commonly used in solar engineering and research are described in Section 6.

The fundamentals of each topic are provided. Providing methods or approaches to designs was not the goal of the field guide. However, the fundamental understanding that can be gained from the book can be extended and used for design of components and systems.

Julius Yellowhair
May 2020