Design and optimization of a holographic concentrator for two-color PV-operation
- Technical Univ. of Aachen (Germany). Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet Hochtemperaturthermodynamik
The subject matter of this research project is to develop, manufacture and field test a spectrally dispersing solar collector system using a holographic solar concentrator in conjunction with spectrally matched advanced solar cells for photovoltaic power generation. The advantage of a holographic solar concentrator as compared to a conventional one is seen in the overall reduction of investment cost and in the possibility to generate inexpensive solar electric power. In this paper the authors present the techniques specifically developed for the design and manufacturing of efficient holographic optical elements and holographic lens stacks that are used in the fabrication of bandwidth matched solar concentrators for VIS and NIR photovoltaic operation. The lens stack separates the white light radiation into several spectral ranges that are focused onto photocells possessing corresponding spectral characteristics. Contrary to previously published arrangements, the authors present here the concept and the design characteristics of a holographic concentrator that allows positioning of the cells in a plane parallel to the lens aperture. The initial idea of using two lenses recorded in the same aperture or same holographic layer focusing onto two off-axis foci proved to be of limited value due to the off-axis focusing that introduces strong reflection and aberration. Here the authors present a new concept in which the two lenses are shifted in the plane of the aperture so that each lens-cell configuration exhibits axial geometry. Stack layouts for AlGaAs/GaAs and GaAs/Si combinations are discussed. Cross-coupling effects and aberrations involving the IR lens are minimized. Experimental diffraction efficiencies are fitted with non-cosinusoidal refractive index modulation showing best performance for 100 by 100 mm{sup 2} aperture. The theoretical predictions are compared with the first experimental results.
- OSTI ID:
- 201318
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930722-; ISBN 0-8194-1266-X; TRN: IM9613%%295
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Annual meeting of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), San Diego, CA (United States), 11-16 Jul 1993; Other Information: PBD: 1993; Related Information: Is Part Of Optical materials technology for energy efficiency and solar energy conversion XII; Lampert, C.M. [ed.] [Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States). Energy and Environment Div.]; PB: 401 p.; Proceedings/SPIE, Volume 2017
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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