Optical simulation of Rondine® PV solar concentrators by two inverse characterization methods

In this paper we describe two optical characterization methods applied to photovoltaic solar concentrators. Both methods are of the 'inverse' type, where the light source is applied in place of the receiver in order to reverse the path of light inside the concentrator. The first method is the 'inverse illumination method', already known in the literature, whereas the second one is a method obtained by modifying the 'inverse luminescence method', operating with electroluminescent light. Both methods use ideal Lambertian sources for producing the inverse light and can be applied to any type of solar concentrator (photovoltaic or thermodynamic). The optical simulations show their equivalence in obtaining the angular distribution of the transmission efficiency function of Rondine® PV concentrators, but the original inverse illumination method requires a simpler configuration and significantly lower simulation times. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.