Design, testing and fabrication of an extruded, linear focus Fresnel lens.

摘要

The objective of this program is to design and fabricate an extruded, curved, linear-focus Fresnel lens for use in a photovoltaic module operating at 10X concentration. The extrusion process is the least expensive lens manufacturing process, producing a lens at approximately 10$/m(sup 2). A goal to achieve 70% optical transmission was set. When used in a module, the housing sides are planned to be co-molded with the lens. This provides the least expensive module design available today. A 7-inch wide lens has been designed, and tooling has been fabricated. Several trial extrusions have been made, with the best to date giving a 73% transmission. A post forming tool was designed and fabricated that improves the molded tooth profile to within 0.001 inch of the design. The achievement of over 70% transmission has shown that a photovoltaic system with an installed AC buss-bar electricity cost of under $0.06/kWh can be produced. Solar Engineering Applications Corporation (SEA) is working on a second-generation extruded lens with the goal to achieve 80% transmission and incorporation into a module. 2 refs., 15 figs.