Abstract

Information theory is applied to the problem of solar radiation collection. We find that the optimum solar concentrator corresponds to a perfect imaging system, i.e., one that images the entire sky on the absorber with no aberrations. For a nonisotropic distribution of radiation at the collector aperture, many thermally separated absorber segments are necessary at the absorber for optimum performance. The heat transfer fluid is first passed through the warm segments and then passed sequentially through the progressively hotter segments.

© 1980 Optical Society of America

Wide-angle lenses and image collapsing subreflectors for nontracking solar collectors

C. J. Sletten, F. S. Holt, and S. B. Herskovitz
Appl. Opt. 19(9) 1439-1453 (1980)

High concentration solar collector of the stepped spherical type: optical design characteristics

B. Authier and L. Hill
Appl. Opt. 19(20) 3554-3561 (1980)

Energy collection efficiency of holographic planar solar concentrators

Jose M. Castro, Deming Zhang, Brian Myer, and Raymond K. Kostuk
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Theory and design of line-to-point focus solar concentrators with tracking secondary optics

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Optical designs for ultrahigh-flux infrared and solar energy collection: monolithic dielectric tailored edge-ray concentrators

Robert P. Friedman and J. M. Gordon
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