Open AccessCylindrical array luminescent solar concentrators: performance boosts by geometric effects
Author(s) -
Jose Jh Videira,
Emiliano Bilotti,
Amanda J. Chatten
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.0a1188
Subject(s) - suns in alchemy , optics , noon , concentrator , cylinder , angle of incidence (optics) , range (aeronautics) , nonimaging optics , materials science , physics , optoelectronics , geometry , mathematics , astronomy , composite material
This paper presents an investigation of the geometric effects within a cylindrical array luminescent solar concentrator (LSC). Photon concentration of a cylindrical LSC increases linearly with cylinder length up to 2 metres. Raytrace modelling on the shading effects of circles on their neighbours demonstrates effective incident light trapping in a cylindrical LSC array at angles of incidence between 60-70 degrees. Raytrace modelling with real-world lighting conditions shows optical efficiency boosts when the suns angle of incidence is within this angle range. On certain days, 2 separate times of peak optical efficiency can be attained over the course of sunrise-solar noon.