Compared performance of fresnel-based concentrators at array level

Abstract

At module level (one single solar cell), the Fresnel-Köhler (FK) concentrator comprises a perfect irradiance uniformity along with quite high concentration-acceptance angle product and loose manufacturing tolerances. At the same time, it maintains the efficiency/simplicity of other Fresnel-based concentrators. All these facts, along with the pill-box shape of its transmission curve, permit an enhanced performance of this device, compared to its competitors, at array level, because the system is less sensitive to manufacturing errors and cells dispersion, and current mismatch is less likely to occur. Or the same performance can be achieved at a lower cost, exhausting the tolerance budget by using inexpensive fabrication techniques. Depending on the concentrator, the actual power delivered by an array might drop significantly with respect to the sum of the power delivered by single modules. Under certain circumstances, the FK can reach a 1-10% electrical efficiency increase with regards to other concentrators sharing the same technology.