Thermodynamic efficiency of solar concentrators
Optics Express, Vol. 18, Issue S1, pp. A5-A16 (2010)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.0000A5
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Abstract
The optical thermodynamic efficiency is a comprehensive metric that takes into account all loss mechanisms associated with transferring flux from the source to the target phase space, which may include losses due to inadequate design, non-ideal materials, fabrication errors, and less than maximal concentration. We discuss consequences of Fermat’s principle of geometrical optics and review étendue dilution and optical loss mechanisms associated with nonimaging concentrators. We develop an expression for the optical thermodynamic efficiency which combines the first and second laws of thermodynamics. As such, this metric is a gold standard for evaluating the performance of nonimaging concentrators. We provide examples illustrating the use of this new metric for concentrating photovoltaic systems for solar power applications, and in particular show how skewness mismatch limits the attainable optical thermodynamic efficiency.
© 2010 OSA
OCIS Codes
(000.6850) General : Thermodynamics
(080.0080) Geometric optics : Geometric optics
(350.6050) Other areas of optics : Solar energy
(220.2945) Optical design and fabrication : Illumination design
(080.4298) Geometric optics : Nonimaging optics
ToC Category:
Solar Concentrators
History
Original Manuscript: December 15, 2009
Revised Manuscript: March 13, 2010
Manuscript Accepted: March 13, 2010
Published: April 26, 2010
Virtual Issues
Focus Issue: Solar Concentrators (2010) Optics Express
Citation
Narkis Shatz, John Bortz, and Roland Winston, "Thermodynamic efficiency of solar concentrators," Opt. Express 18, A5-A16 (2010)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-18-S1-A5
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References
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- P. Benitez, and J. C. Miñano, “Concentrator Optics for the next generation photovoltaics,” Chap. 13 of A. Marti and A. Luque, Next Generation Photovoltaics: High Efficiency through Full Spectrum Utilization, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, London (2004).
- V. I. Arnold, Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics, 88–91 & 161–270, Springer Verlag (1989).
- R. Winston, J. C. Miñano, and P. Benítez, with contributions by N. Shatz and J. Bortz, Nonimaging Optics, Elsevier Academic Press, New York (2005).
- H. Ries, N. Shatz, J. Bortz, and W. Spirkl, “Performance limitations of rotationally symmetric nonimaging devices,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 14(10), 2855–2862 (1997). [CrossRef]
- J. Bortz, N. Shatz, and R. Winston, “Performance limitations of translationally symmetric nonimaging devices,” Proc. SPIE 4446, 201–220 (2001). [CrossRef]
- L. D. Landau, and E. M. Lifshitz, Statistical Physics, Pergamon, London (1958).
- E. Yablonovitch, “Thermodynamics of the fluorescent planar concentrator,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70(11), 1362–1363 (1980). [CrossRef]
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