TY - GEN
T1 - Planar single-element gradient-index solar lenses for concentrator photovoltaics
AU - Kotsidas, Panagiotis
AU - Modi, Vijay
AU - Gordon, Jeffrey M.
PY - 2012/12/1
Y1 - 2012/12/1
N2 - We present the design and simulation of first-ever planar single-element solar lenses (modified hemispherical gradientindex structures) for concentrator photovoltaic applications, with high collection efficiency and liberal optical tolerance at averaged cell irradiance levels exceeding 1000 suns. These compact lens designs satisfy the severe constraints of the refractive indices of viable polymeric materials and fabrication techniques, for visible and near-infrared radiation. The planar hemispherical gradient-index lens for a far-field (solar) source is created from a near-field unit magnification spherical gradient-index lens. Our new solutions incorporate a constant-index core (crucial for manufacturability). Simulations include a polychromatic and extended sun. A sample design for an f/1.40 solar lens is provided, where planar lenses comprise a concentrator module's protective glazing, with loss-less packing due to a square lens entry allowed by the modified truncated (non-full aperture) design, without incremental optical losses.
AB - We present the design and simulation of first-ever planar single-element solar lenses (modified hemispherical gradientindex structures) for concentrator photovoltaic applications, with high collection efficiency and liberal optical tolerance at averaged cell irradiance levels exceeding 1000 suns. These compact lens designs satisfy the severe constraints of the refractive indices of viable polymeric materials and fabrication techniques, for visible and near-infrared radiation. The planar hemispherical gradient-index lens for a far-field (solar) source is created from a near-field unit magnification spherical gradient-index lens. Our new solutions incorporate a constant-index core (crucial for manufacturability). Simulations include a polychromatic and extended sun. A sample design for an f/1.40 solar lens is provided, where planar lenses comprise a concentrator module's protective glazing, with loss-less packing due to a square lens entry allowed by the modified truncated (non-full aperture) design, without incremental optical losses.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872196086&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1117/12.928408
DO - 10.1117/12.928408
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84872196086
SN - 9780819492029
T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
BT - Nonimaging Optics
T2 - Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration IX
Y2 - 12 August 2012 through 14 August 2012
ER -