traditional solar concentrators are optical systems that exploit the special reflective properties of convex mirrors, which concentrate solar radiation in a precise area in space, corresponding to the fire of the mirror. In line with the "fire" of such mirrors can be inserted, to PV technology and equipments, which pipeline for the exploitation of solar heating. These devices have limitations not negligible, especially economic, for the cost of living materials, assembly and transport, automatic systems for automated guidance and also for the maintenance required to the reflective surfaces which must be kept clean for maximum efficiency. To make it convenient solar concentrators in the field of photovoltaics, and increase the efficiency of the cells, the Toronto company of Morgan Solar has developed the Light-guide Solar Optic (LSO), a light guide for the sunlight that allows you to trap and manipulate light without need complex lenses and mirrors. "It 's pure geometrical optics," said Nicolas Morgan, director of business development at Morgan Solar.
LSO
It is a thin acrylic component which, thanks to its unique form guide inner light into its center, concentrations up to 1400 only. The design This little device is based on a phenomenon called total internal reflection, ie the possibility that a beam of light to penetrate an optical material and to be diverted instead of being reflected. The secret is to forge a small plastic solar concentrator so as to bend the beam in a particular direction. "It is critical to control the angles once the light enters the small solar concentrator," says Morgan. The benefits are increased efficiency and convenience, since there are no inner tubes and there is no distance between solar cells and concentrator.
The new solar concentrator, at its first commercial version, will consist of a square acrylic wafers about eight inches in size containing a secondary concentrator glass. "Their design is certainly very good and these solar concentrators can be produced at low cost without doubt, represents a good opportunity to revolutionize the technology of this industry," says Ray Lapierre, an expert in high-efficiency solar cells. The new module
concentration could enter the market in 2010. The company has delivered the first system for less than $ 1 per watt by 2011.
