Optics development for micro-cell based CPV modules

Etienne Menard; Michael Sullivan; John Wilson; Brent Fisher; Steve Seel; Matthew Meitl; Kanchan Ghosal; Scott Burroughs

doi:10.1117/12.893385

19 September 2011 Optics development for micro-cell based CPV modules

Etienne Menard, Michael Sullivan, John Wilson, Brent Fisher, Steve Seel, Matthew Meitl, Kanchan Ghosal, Scott Burroughs

Proceedings Volume 8108, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Electric Applications VI; 810805 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893385
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Semprius' two-stage pupil imaging concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) module design incorporates extremely costeffective glass ball secondary lenses in addition to plano-convex primary lens arrays. Optimization of the optical concentrator design involves modeling the illumination uniformity of the primary aperture (the 'pupil') on the multijunction solar cell in response to the secondary lens index, diameter, surface quality, location, and tolerance offsets. We reconcile our theoretical model with experimental results from a single fully adjustable 'concentrating unit cell', and we thereby create a robust model for design updates, for tolerance and sensitivity modeling, and for prediction of full module and on-sun tracker performance based on receiver placement relative to our primary lens array. In this paper, we discuss the rationale behind our optics approach, our criteria for optimizing our optics, and our tolerancing approach. Then we discuss our experimental approach, including our universally adjustable 'concentrating unit' fixture, our light source, and our primary and secondary optics. We show sensitivity curves of our 'concentrating unit' performance to receiver placement, and ball lens size. We reconcile these with our ray-traced model, and, finally, we show predicted module performance based on receiver tolerance data and receiver wiring in the module using a parameter driven high level circuit model.

Citation Download Citation

Etienne Menard, Michael Sullivan, John Wilson, Brent Fisher, Steve Seel, Matthew Meitl, Kanchan Ghosal, and Scott Burroughs "Optics development for micro-cell based CPV modules", Proc. SPIE 8108, High and Low Concentrator Systems for Solar Electric Applications VI, 810805 (19 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893385

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