Review of Mathematical Equations for the Design of Compound Parabolic Concentrating Solar Energy Collectors

Abstract

Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) is the most popular static low-concentrating system for solar energy collection. The main advantages of CPCs over other solar collectors include high optical efficiency, elimination of the diurnal tracking requirement at intermediate concentrations and being able to collect both diffuse and direct radiation. The overall performance of CPCs depends on the accurate design of solar radiation reflecting surfaces, which is based on the edge-ray principle and identical optical length principle. However, most students and junior researchers in the field of solar energy find it difficult to design CPCs. The reason is that they cannot fully understand the design principles of CPCs and derive mathematical equations of the reflectors, thus they are only interested in the design equations. In this study, an attempt has been made to review all mathematical equations that have been used to design symmetric and asymmetric CPCs with different receiver configurations. This article offers an opportunity for researchers to obtain accurate information more quickly than going through past publications in the hope of finding something relevant. It is anticipated that the results from this study will increase the application of CPCs to photovoltaics and/or thermal conversions.