Solar Concentrators

Microsharp has utilized its expertise in micro and nano surface structured optical film design to develop innovative Fresnel lens based solar concentration devices.

These film based lenses provide a means of achieving good quality large area optics at a low price due to their being constructed from microoptical elements (with a structure depth of around 30 microns and a total film thickness of around 250 microns) and continuous manufacture using a roll to roll production process.

As the films are very light they can be mounted on extremely light and low cost frames to produce large area concentrator systems, for solar heating, solar PV and solar thermal systems.

The lower cost and simplified construction process associated with microfilm Fresnel lenses offers the potential to:

• For the first time, make CSP thermal systems a viable option for smaller, building integrated or local area Combined Heat and Power (CHP) applications where PV panels are currently used – here thermal storage enables solar power to provide a significant fraction of total electricity and heating requirements.
• Reduce the need for expensive and scare Silicon Cells.
• Develop low complexity concentrator designs that can be installed and maintained in remote locations and developing countries with reduced technical resources and expertise.
• Significantly reduce concentration and maintenance costs in CSP power stations.

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