Designing an innovative secondary optics for parabolic trough

A secondary optics for CPV parabolic troughs was developed to reduce the photovoltaic cells number. The proposed solution is a cylindrical Fresnel lens that transforms the focal line into a series of focal points. Its insertion inside the Concentrating PhotoVoltaic trough increases the solar concentration keeping unchanged the total collection efficiency of the system. The research includes optical design of the secondary collector and auxiliary analyses to control trough operation and to optimize trough collection efficiency.