Planar micro-optic solar concentrator
- 8 January 2010
- journal article
- Published by Optica Publishing Group in Optics Express
- Vol. 18 (2), 1122-1133
- https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.18.001122
Abstract
We present a new approach to solar concentration where sunlight collected by each lens in a two-dimensional lens array is coupled into a shared, planar waveguide using localized features placed at each lens focus. This geometry yields a thin, flat profile for moderate concentration systems which may be fabricated by low-cost roll manufacture. We provide analyses of tradeoffs and show optimized designs can achieve 90% and 82% optical efficiency at 73x and 300x concentration, respectively. Finally, we present preliminary experimental results of a concentrator using self-aligned reflective coupling features fabricated by exposing molded SU-8 features through the lens array.This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
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