Waveguide solar concentrator design with spectrally separated light

Abstract

A B S T R A C TIn this article, we propose a new solar concentrator based on spectral splitting of sunlight. Spectral splitting has the objective to collect different spectra onto spectrally adapted solar cells for a more efficient use of the Sun's spectrum. Its combination with solar concentration makes an alternative to classical technologies. The proposed concentrator is composed of a diffractive/refractive optical element that spectrally splits and focuses the light onto a waveguide. The light is then conducted by total internal reflection towards the two specific solar cells. The optical concept and optimization of each element is presented in this paper. An adaptation for dye sensitized solar cells is performed. A geometrical factor around 5× is reached. Finally, theoretical optical efficiency, the manufacturing process and experimental testing with a collimated Sun simulator are presented.

Calculation of the interaction between an overlapping spherical lens and a pin-type second optical element for spherical lens microtracking concentrator photovoltaic with a wide angle of incidence

“…horizontally tapered waveguide, 11) branched planar waveguide, 12) horizontally staggered light guide, 13) lens-channel waveguide, 14) staggered-tapered light guide 15) ); (b) modifying the waveguide reflector (e.g. small lateral shifts of the waveguide, 16) horizontally spectrally separated waveguides 17) ); (c) combining an external seasonal tracker; 18) (d) adding optical elements between the lens and the waveguide (e.g. bioinspired curved light guide 19) ); and (e) adding two-lens structures in the upper structure of a multijunction solar cell.…”

A Side-Absorption Concentrated Module with a Diffractive Optical Element as a Spectral-Beam-Splitter for a Hybrid-Collecting Solar System

“…In this arrangement, the sunlight receivers can be photovoltaic cells with different absorption bands and lateral arrangements [12,13]. The third kind is proposed as a planar concentrator with a zig-zag optical axis, with the receivers located at different sides of the concentrator [20,21]. Herein, we propose a novel SBS configuration (of the third kind of alignment), consisting of a zig-zag optical axis, with integration of the diffractive optical element (DOE) and other planar optics to form a side-absorption concentrated module.…”

Characterization of Core-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking Concentrator Photovoltaic System

“…A microtracking concentrator photovoltaic system (MTCPV) that integrates a CPV and a solar tracker into a module is being developed [3]. Examples of MTCPV structures include (a) a two-lens structure on the top surface of a multijunction solar cell [4], (b) an upper waveguide and lens structure on a multijunction solar cell [5][6][7][8][9][10][11], (c) a structure combining an upside lens and a downside mirror on a multijunction solar cell [12,13], (d) a resin filled mirror under a solar cell stage [14], (e) a structure comprised of a wide angle aplanatic lens and a solar cell stage with three-dimensional control [15], and (f) a structure comprised of a gradient-index(GRIN) lens [16,17] and a solar cell stage with three-dimensional control [18]. Of these, structure (f) has yet to be experimentally demonstrated as it requires a gradient low-refractive index (RI) structure.…”