Optics for concentration on PV cells

Modem PhotoVoltaic cells and technologies for Concentrating PhotoVoltaics require high level of solar light concentration. The paper proposes different collectors for the exploitation of solar light using CPV systems. Solar concentrators have been designed to be coupled to a PV cell with a concentration ratio exceeding 500. The paper analyses and compares characteristics and performances of solar collectors applied in CPV systems. Optical layout and concentration ratio are the primary optical features, which are essential to select the examined collector categories. Then the analysis focuses on the comparison of the optical characteristics that are fundamental for the application in the domain of Concentrating PhotoVoltaics. The most important features in case of light concentration on PhotoVolatic cells are: collection efficiency, image size and image uniformity.