DSMTS: a novel linear PV concentrator

A new linear nonimaging concentrator suitable for one-axis tracking operation, the Dielectric Single-Mirror Two-Stage concentrator (DSMTS), is presented. It has reflective primary optics and reflective/refractive secondary optics. However, all the optical components and the solar cells form a single piece in a DSMTS, which simplifies the system: housing and assembling structure are not needed, and the heat sinks can coincide with the supporting structure. A DSMTS designed for an acceptance angle of /spl plusmn/0.72/spl deg/ gets a geometrical concentration of 100/spl times/. For a geometrical concentration of 30/spl times/, an acceptance of /spl plusmn/2.55 degrees is obtained. This high acceptance is useful to relax the optics, structure and mounting accuracies.