Method for the characterization of Fresnel lens flux transfer performance

Abstract

Fresnel lenses and other faceted or micro-optic devices are increasingly used in multiple applications like solar light concentrators and illumination devices, just to name some representative. However, it seems to be a certain lack of adequate techniques for the assessment of the performance of final fabricated devices. As applications are more exigent this characterization is a must. We provide a technique to characterize the performance of Fresnel lenses, as light collection devices. The basis for the method is a configuration where a camera images the Fresnel lens aperture. The entrance pupil of the camera is situated at the focal spot or the conjugate of a simulated solar source. In this manner, detailed maps of the performance of different Fresnel lenses are obtained for different acceptance angles.

Characterization of Optics for Concentrating Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Applications

“…The spectral characteristics of the light source seem to differ for almost every setup. Monochromatic light sources of several wavelengths are reported in literature [14][15][16]18] as well as several kinds of polychromatic light sources [19], which makes the comparison of measurement results difficult Mostly four types of sensors are used to measure the irradiation in the focal plane. Some setups use CCD sensors [16], others use a diffusing screen in the focal plane and a camera to take an image of the screen [17,[20][21][22][23].…”

Optical component analysis for ultrahigh concentrated photovoltaic system (UHCPV)

“…Martinez Antón et al (Martinez Antón et al, 2011) conducted another method to characterise the Fresnel lens flux transfer performance. This method depends on suiting the camera's entrance focus at the focal spot at which the camera image gives detailed performance maps of the variety of Fresnel lenses for different acceptance angles.…”