Planar micro-optic solar concentrator.
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.
Karp
Jason H
JH
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0407, USA. jkarp@ucsd.edu
Tremblay
Eric J
EJ
Ford
Joseph E
JE
D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007909:Lenses; D008904:Miniaturization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012993:Solar Energy
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D011108:Polymers; C520895:SU-8 compound