Thermodynamically efficient solar concentrators

Roland Winston

doi:10.1117/1.JPE.2.025501

27 April 2012 Thermodynamically efficient solar concentrators

Roland Winston

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Photonics for Energy, Vol. 2, Issue 1, 025501 (April 2012). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JPE.2.025501

Abstract

Nonimaging Optics is the theory of thermodynamically efficient optics and as such depends more on thermodynamics than on optics. Hence, I propose a condition for the best design based on purely thermodynamic arguments, which I believe has profound consequences for design of thermal and even photovoltaic systems. This new way of looking at the problem of efficient concentration depends on probabilities, the ingredients of entropy, and information theory while optics in the conventional sense recedes into the background. The paper takes a pedagogical and retrospective approach, as to place the new approach in perspective, it helps to first appreciate what has succeeded in nonimaging optics, and turned some devices [e.g. the compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) cone] into a commodity. I will conclude with some speculative directions on where the new ideas might lead.

Citation Download Citation

Roland Winston "Thermodynamically efficient solar concentrators," Journal of Photonics for Energy 2(1), 025501 (27 April 2012). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JPE.2.025501

Published: 27 April 2012

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available