Abstract

A simple, economical absorber utilizing a new principle of operation to achieve very low reradiation losses while generating temperatures limited by material properties of quartz is described. Its performance is analyzed and indicates approximately 90% thermal efficiency and 73% conversion efficiency for an earth based unit with moderately concentrated (~tenfold) sunlight incident. It is consequently compatible with the most economic of concentrator mirrors (stamped) or mirrors deployable in space. Space applications are particularly attractive, as temperatures significantly below 300 K are possible and permit even higher conversion efficiency.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Linear Solar Collector

B. O. Seraphin
Appl. Opt. 12(2) 349-354 (1973)

Development of solar concentrators for high-power solar-pumped lasers

T. H. Dinh, T. Ohkubo, and T. Yabe
Appl. Opt. 53(12) 2711-2719 (2014)

Contactless efficient two-stage solar concentrator for tubular absorber

Pablo Benítez, Rafael García, and Juan C. Miñano
Appl. Opt. 36(28) 7119-7124 (1997)

Spectral selectivity of high-temperature solar absorbers

D. M. Trotter and A. J. Sievers
Appl. Opt. 19(5) 711-728 (1980)

Silicon films as selective absorbers for solar energy conversion

D. E. Ackley and J. Tauc
Appl. Opt. 16(11) 2806-2809 (1977)