Simulation of thermal-optical effects on a PMMA fresnel lens used in solar concentrators

Yi Cheng Chen, Chia Hsun Su

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This study presents an integrated opto-mechanical analysis of a PMMA Fresnel lens used in solar concentrators for concentrated photovoltaic systems. The temperature dependence of refractive index of the PMMA lens was analyzed based on its temperature coefficient of refractive index dn/dT. In addition, the thermal distortion of the Fresnel lens under various temperature rises was computed by finite element analysis (FEA). Then, the temperature induced effects, variation of refractive index and the deformed lens geometry, were imported into ray tracing simulation simultaneously. Finally, the thermal-optical effects on the optical performance of a flat Fresnel lens were successfully investigated and discussed, including the maximum irradiances on the receiver and the optical efficiencies under different temperature rises.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInnovation for Applied Science and Technology
Pages2840-2844
Number of pages5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2nd International Conference on Engineering and Technology Innovation 2012, ICETI 2012 - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Duration: 2 Nov 20126 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameApplied Mechanics and Materials
Volume284-287
ISSN (Print)1660-9336
ISSN (Electronic)1662-7482

Conference

Conference2nd International Conference on Engineering and Technology Innovation 2012, ICETI 2012
Country/TerritoryTaiwan
CityKaohsiung
Period2/11/126/11/12

Keywords

  • Fresnel lens
  • Integrated opto-mechanical analysis
  • Thermal-optical effect

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