Solar Concentrators Using Total Internal Reflection

A study is presented of solar concentrators based on total internal reflections. The concentrators are placed over photovoltaic cells. Experimental data obtained with different encapsulating materials and dependence on geometrical and physical variables are given. A theoretical model which includes the losses in the encapsulating material is proposed, giving good agreement with the experimental data. Gain factors as high as 30% have been obtained with these concentrators. The additional effect of organic dyes on absorption bands in the 350-360-nm range is also studied.