Preparation and properties of an experimental static concentrator with a new three-dimensional lens

A new three-dimensional (3D) lens for a static concentrator with a higher optical concentration ratio is designed by the idea that the entry aperture is formed by stacking rectangles rounded at four corners. A concentrator model attached with the new 3D acrylic lens is fabricated and measured under a solar simulator. A high optical concentration ratio of 2.3 is achieved for a single concentrator model at normal incidence and this ratio is kept constant up to an incident angle of 60°. In addition, the optical properties of a series-connected concentrator model are investigated to compare with those of the single concentrator model. The optical concentration ratio is higher at relatively small incident angles due to reflection from the neighbouring lenses and lower at relatively large angles due to shading.