A flat ATIR optics approach to CPV : December 3, 2009 - December 3, 2010 /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Schultz, David
Corporate Authors:	Banyan Energy, Inc, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Golden, CO : National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2011.
Edition:	Revised.
Series:	NREL/SR ; 5200-51859.
Subjects:	Solar concentrators > Materials > Optical properties. Solar collectors > Research. Photovoltaic power systems > Design and construction.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo15457

Description
Abstract:	The CPV industry is constrained in a paradigm of bulky reflective or refractive optics that operate best at either low concentration (2-5X) or high concentration (100X and above). Low concentration approaches are plagued by marginal economics, while high concentration approaches face heightened technical risks. High concentration systems inevitably face thermal management hurdles and often do not fit well with the existing solar infrastructure. Using Aggregated Total Internal Reflection (ATIR) as the optical mechanism for gathering light, a cost effective, line-focus optic can be produced at scale to provide superior optical efficiency in a flat profile and operate at a mid level of concentration to mitigate the tradeoff between economic benefit and adoptability. Substantiating this motivational premise behind the ATIR optics approach to CPV requires performance data. Foremost among the goals for establishing the viability of ATIR optics in solar is demonstrating optical efficiency. Banyan Energy performed an outdoor test of optical efficiency (OE) based on short circuit current using the line-focus Lens Step prototype.
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed July 25, 2011). "Revised October 2011." Originally published June 2011. "Prepared under Subcontract number NEU-0-99010-11." "Contract number DE-AC36-08GO28308." Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	1 online resource (18 pages) : illustrations