A full-spectrum solar energy system is being designed by a research team lead by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Nevada, Reno. [1,2] The benchmark collector/receiver and prototype thermophotovoltaic (TPV) array have been built [3], so the work performed here is to match the two systems together for optimal performance. It is shown that a hollow, rectangular-shaped non-imaging (NI) device only 23 cm long can effectively distribute the IR flux incident on the TPV array mounted behind the secondary mirror. Results of the ray-tracing analysis of the different systems tested are presented.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
non-imaging, thermophotovoltaic, infrared, full-spectrum , solar energy concentrators, design engineering, solar spectra, solar radiation, mirrors, performance evaluation, optimisation
Topics:
Imaging, Mirrors, Optical design techniques, Solar energy systems, Engineering prototypes, Solar energy, Ray tracing, Solar radiation
1.
Muhs, J., 2000 “Design and Analysis of Hybrid Solar Lighting and Full-Spectrum Solar Energy Systems,” American Solar Energy Society, SOLAR2000.
2.
Muhs, J., 2000, “Hybrid Solar Lighting Doubles the Efficiency and Affordability of Solar Energy in Commercial Buildings,” CADDET Energy Efficiency Newsletter, (4) pp. 6–9.
3.
Fraas, L.M., Daniels, W.E., and Muhs, J., 2001, “Infrared Photovoltaics for Combined Solar Lighting and Electricity for Buildings,” Proceedings of 17th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference.
4.
O’Gallagher, J.J., Winston, R., and Gee, R., 2001, “NonImaging Solar Concentrator with Near Uniform Irradiance for Photovoltaic Arrays,” Nonimaging Optics: Maximum Efficiency Light Transfer VI, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4446.
Copyright © 2004
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.