Performance Analysis on Solar Tracking Daylighting Systems Using Different Types of Solar Collectors: Parabolic Dish vs. Fresnel Lens

Abstract

This paper presents the effect of solar collectors on the performance of solar tracking daylighting systems. A series of measurements were made for two different types of solar collectors mounted on double axis solar trackers: Parabolic dish concentrator and Fresnel Lens. Indoor light levels were measured at different locations of an office space (longitude: 126.33 E, latitude 33.45 N) as photo sensors were placed on a task plane 80 cm above the floor. To accurately monitor the applicability of the systems, measurements were performed under clear and overcast sky conditions with the roll-screen (on the south window) in the down position. Comparing the illuminance data, the system with Fresnel lens outperformed that of parabolic dish concentrator. On clear days, the former delivered the light levels of 400~600 lux on the task plane whereas the latter recorded 100~200 lux. Depending on the amount of cloud cover, on overcast days, illuminance readings fluctuated to some extent.