Linear Fresnel concentrators for building integrated applications

In this paper an exhaustive study of a stationary wide angle Fresnel lens combined with a moving compound parabolic concentrator to track the Sun during the year is presented. The concentrating optical systems is proposed for building integrated solar applications. In the first section, the sensitivity analysis of design key parameters and its relationships is addressed. The parameters under study are the lens curvature, the maximum concentration and the compactness or the related aspect ratio. In the second section, it is concluded that a concentration ratio of 12.5 suns is the optimum geometric concentration for the Fresnel lens to satisfy both architectural features and solar concentration requirements. In the third section, the combination of the optimum Fresnel two compound parabolic concentrator designs is evaluated. The deep analysis of the optical system presented offers useful results for future designers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.