Design and indoor testing of a compact optical concentrator

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

doi:10.1117/1.OE.56.1.015102

10 January 2017 Design and indoor testing of a compact optical concentrator

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

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 56, Issue 1, 015102 (January 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.1.015102

Abstract

We propose and analyze designs for stationary and compact optical concentrators. The designs are based on a catadioptric assembly with a linear focus line. They have a focal distance of around 10 to 15 cm with a concentration ratio (4.5 to 5.9 times). The concentrator employs an internal linear-tracking mechanism, making it suitable for rooftop solar applications. The optical performance of the collector has been simulated with ray tracing software (Zemax), and laser-based indoor experiments were carried out to validate this model. The results show that the system is capable of achieving an average optical efficiency of around 66% to 69% during the middle 6 (sunniest) h of the day. The design process and principles described in this work will help enable a new class of rooftop solar thermal concentrators.

Citation Download Citation

Cheng Zheng, Qiyuan Li, Gary Rosengarten, Evatt Hawkes, and Robert A. Taylor "Design and indoor testing of a compact optical concentrator," Optical Engineering 56(1), 015102 (10 January 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.1.015102

Received: 12 September 2016; Accepted: 20 December 2016; Published: 10 January 2017

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available