Optical Concentrator Sidewall Profiles for Multi-Plane Acceptance Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar concentrator systems face challenges in efficiency and cost due to the high cost of photovoltaic materials and low efficiency of traditional photovoltaic cells, which can be mitigated by using optical concentrators that collect and concentrate light onto smaller photovoltaic cells, but existing designs lack optimal configurations for varying acceptance angles and surface profiles.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical element with a side wall structure featuring internally reflecting profiles and cross-sectional profiles that differ between sections, allowing for varying acceptance angles and optimized light concentration, achieved through a method involving ray tracing and iterative design to generate a 3D structure with non-rotationally symmetric cross-sectional profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional photovoltaic materials are used, then the system is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the efficiency is low (typically less than 20% and may be even less than 10%)
Solution Approach 1:
An optical concentrator element is introduced as an intermediary component between the sunlight and the photovoltaic cell. This concentrator collects light over a wide area through its entry aperture and concentrates it onto a smaller photovoltaic cell, enabling the use of less expensive photovoltaic materials while achieving high efficiency through light concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The optical concentrator utilizes three-dimensional geometric structures with specific cross-sectional profiles to achieve light concentration. By designing the concentrator with varying acceptance angles in different planes (non-rotationally symmetric), the system optimizes light collection from multiple dimensional directions
2Productivity
If more expensive photovoltaic materials like GaAs are used, then the efficiency increases, but the unit cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical concentrator divides the light collection function from the energy conversion function. The concentrator handles light collection and concentration over a wide area, while the photovoltaic cell only needs to perform energy conversion on the concentrated light, allowing the use of smaller, less expensive photovoltaic materials
Solution Approach 2:
The optical concentrator acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between large-area light collection and small-area photovoltaic conversion, enabling the use of cost-effective photovoltaic materials while maintaining high system efficiency through optical concentration
3Area of stationary object
If the entry aperture is made larger to accept light from a wide area, then the light collection area increases, but the complexity of the concentrator design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical concentrator employs different cross-sectional profiles in different planes (non-rotationally symmetric design) to optimize light collection for specific acceptance angles in each direction. This local optimization allows the entry aperture to be larger while maintaining manageable design complexity through targeted geometric variations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances light concentration and reduces the size and cost of photovoltaic cells, increasing the efficiency and flexibility of solar energy systems by allowing different acceptance angles in different planes, thereby improving the overall performance and reducing the need for expensive tracking systems.
Implementation Method 1
the side wall structure has an internally reflecting profile such that optical radiation incident on the first surface at an angle less than or equal to an acceptance angle and then incident on the side wall structure is internally reflected to the second surface by the side wall structure
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element and associated methods for generating an optical element and apparatus comprising the optical element, wherein the optical element comprises a first surface (10), a second surface (15), and a side wall structure (25) between the first and second surfaces. The side wall structure has an internally reflecting profile such that optical radiation incident on the first surface at an angle less than or equal to an acceptance angle and then incident on the side wall structure is internally reflected to the second surface by the side wall structure. In a first cross section of the optical element, the side wall structure has a first internally reflecting profile and/or the first surface has a first cross sectional profile. In a second cross section that is rotated relative to the first cross section, the side wall structure has a second internally reflecting profile and/or the first surface has a second cross sectional profile, wherein the second internally reflecting profile of the side wall structure and/or the second cross sectional profile of the first surface is different from the first internally reflecting profile of the side wall structure and/or the first cross sectional profile of the first surface.