Refractive Based Solar Tracker With Fixed Concentration Spot

Solar energy has become one of the most promising renewable energies being the most widespread used nowadays. In order to achieve an optimum performance, both photovoltaic and solar thermal applications require the use of some kind of solar tracking technique. A solar tracking concentrator (STC) has to adapt to the changes in the sun's position throughout the day and even more so, throughout the year.The present paper attempts to describe in detail the design of a state-of-the-art STC in which the concentration spot is fixed. The tracking system is based on refracting the sunlight onto a constant direction, contrary to existing solutions which reflects it. Having a constant direction of radiations makes possible to implement a stationary Fresnel lens to concentrate the solar power for any application desired. The system is designed and validated using mathematical models and simulation software to prove the feasibility of the concept.