Comparative study of two CPV optical concentrators, using a Fresnel lens as primary optical element

Abstract

In this work, the performances of two optimized reflective secondary optics elements a CPC (Compound Parabolic Concentrator) and a Cone for use in a CPV concentrator system are studied using ray-tracing simulation for the same primary optical element: a Fresnel lens. These optical elements are compared in terms of concentration, acceptance angle, exit angle and output light distribution. Our results show that the power distribution at the end of the concentrator is more uniform in the case of the cone. The optical efficiency is higher when the secondary element is placed at a distance with f the focal length; R the input radius of the secondary optical element and θ the acceptance angle of the secondary optical element. Also, we found that the length and the input radius of each optical element decrease when the Fresnel lens diameter increases but the input radius of the CPC stills the larger. Finally, our calculation show that the CPC is longer than the cone while the Fresnel lens diameter is less than 200 mm and beyond this value both the cone and the CPC mostly present the same length.