The Continuous Production of Fresnel Lens and a Discussion on its Application in Solar Building Chen Yike

Abstract

The main challenge of solar power generation is its high cost compared to traditional power supply. Concentrating solar power generating is one of the direction for decreasing the cost and capital investment. Fresnel lenses show remarkable advance among various concentrators. Linear Fresnel lens is attractive because the concentrator uses less photovoltaic cells with one-dimension tracking system, thus decreases the cost of power generation. The prices of commercial Fresnel lenses are too high that resist the extensive use of Fresnel lenses in solar power concentrator. It is proved by experiments of various materials (such as PMMA, PC, PVC, silicon resin, glass-polymer) and processes (such as heat pressing, ultraviolet ray curing) that Fresnel lenses can be produced in large scale at low costs ranging from 10 yuan to hundreds yuan (RMB) per square meter. The usage of linear Fresnel lens in building is also discussed, such as natural lighting with/without solar power generation and the sunshading with concentrating solar power generation. The conclusion is that low cost linear Fresnel lens can be used in modern building with the help of intelligent system to create a comfortable surrounding while generate low cost solar power. It is important that the design principle of building solar power generation should be complement of power at the peak demand periods rather than providing highest power supply of a year.