Design and optical performance of a nonimaging Fresnel transmissive concentrator for building integration applications

A transmissive Fresnel reflector is designed to match the needs of building integration for concentrating photovoltaic (PV), thermal (T) or hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) generation. The device concentrates radiation toward a static receiver by means of an array of reflectors which rotate collectively. All rotation axes are coplanar and parallel. A deep analytical ray tracing study has been made of the design characteristics and concentrator performance, thus determining the configuration which optimises efficiency. Numerous ray tracing numerical simulations have been performed which contrast and support the analytical results.

► The designed concentrator has an important potential for building integration. ► The device concentrates radiation toward a static receiver. ► Tracking performed by a single driver, representing an important mechanical advantage. ► The system reaches a global optical efficiency value of 56.38%.