In standard P-V systems, the high cost and low quantum efficiency of silicon cells has held back widespread adoption of this technology for decades. To generate electrical power from solar energy in a cost effective way, most methods require the concentration of the sunlight in order to increase the efficiency of energy conversion. Most systems use parabolic mirrors to focus sunlight to either a line (trough systems) or a small volume (dishes). One of the reasons solar power still remains little utilised, is the high cost of the collection systems.Light focussing devices using reflection usually take the form of a curved mirror. In contrast, this paper describes the new design of a device consisting of an array of small angled reflecting mirror facets located in a planar form. The three dimensional angle of each facet in the array is a function of its position in the array, and is calculated to be such that for a parallel beam striking the array, each facet will reflect the light in such a way as to form a focal point region.
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