Silicone optical elements for cost-effective freeform solar concentration

Sifang Cui, Nicholas P. Lyons, Liliana Ruiz Diaz, Remington Ketchum, Kyung Jo Kim, Hao Chih Yuan, Mike Frasier, Wei Pan, Robert A. Norwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of silicone optical elements is demonstrated for a concentrated photovoltaic system. These components show over 96% transmission through most of the solar spectrum and excellent temperature stability. Unique moldability enables the use of complex freeform designs. A light, compact, and cost-effective concentrated photovoltaic system based on silicone optics is proposed. In this system, air-plasma treatment is utilized to overcome the mechanical properties of silicone and difficulties with coating to reduce Fresnel loss. Lens arrays and waveguides are fabricated by injection molding following freeform optical design by LightTools. First-order characterizations are also performed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)A572-A580
JournalOptics Express
Volume27
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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