Performance comparison and experimental study on several kinds of congregation-type solar concentrator

Abstract

Three types of congregated solar concentrators or so-called light funnels have been designed. They are a Compound Parabolic Concentrators (CPC) superposed light funnel, a CPC superposed light funnel with a deflector and a mirror focus superposition light funnel. Their light-concentrating principle and light conduction process have been analyzed. Their performances have been discussed after testing under real weather conditions, and also their conducting light rates and curve of conducting light performance for different incident angles have been calculated. The experimental results show that the conducting light rate of the mirror focus superposition-type light funnel is maximum, up to 35.1%. The CPC superposed light funnel has a minimum value, with only 25.6%. The CPC superposed light funnel is the most demanding regarding tracking accuracy. The other two types of concentrators are less demanding concerning tracking accuracy. © The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press.