Title:	Indoor Optical Characterization of the Nonimaging “Rondine” PV Solar Concentrator
Author(s):	A. Parretta, G. Martinelli, E. Bonfiglioli, A. Antonini, M.A. Butturi, P. Di Benedetto, D. Uderzo, P. Zurru, E. Milan, D. Roncati
Keywords:	Characterisation, Characterization, Optical Properties, Concentrator
Topic:	Advanced Photovoltaics
Subtopic:	Terrestrial Concentrator Systems
Event:	24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany
Session:	1DV.5.18
Pages:	747 - 752
ISBN:	3-936338-25-6
Paper DOI:	10.4229/24thEUPVSEC2009-1DV.5.18
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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The optical collection properties of the nonimaging “Rondine” solar concentrator have been investigated by indoor measurements of the angle-resolved optical efficiency. In this paper we illustrate two different methods to draw the optical efficiency curve. The first one, called “direct method”, is performed by producing a collimated beam of solar divergence (~ 0.27°) and of known flux impinging on the input aperture of the concentrator at different incidence angles, and by measuring the flux collected at the exit aperture. The second one is based on a reverse illumination procedure, from which the name of “inverse method”, whereby a Lambertian diffused light source is produced at the concentrator exit aperture and the radiance of the backward beam, exiting from the input aperture, is measured at different directions in space. We obtain similar results with the two methods, though the “inverse method” be largely to be preferred for the simplicity of the experimental apparatus and the extreme quickness of execution.