RTD 2013SHINE
Self-tracking solar concentration
1EPFL, 2EMPA, 3CSEM
Christophe Moser1, Demetri Psaltis1, Sophia Haussener1,Artur Braun2, Julien Bailat3
Based on a phase-change actuator, a scalable prototype was assembled. The device showed a concentration factor of 3.5x (16° acceptance angle) .
Solar concentrators can play a key role in solar-driven hydrogen generation, resulting in . Avoiding the power consumption of a me-
hydrogen cost, system’s energy and green-house gases balances .
The concentrator’s optical system captures sunlight within a certain an-
the actuator. For a static device, 45° is the recommended minimum accept-ance angle.
RTD 2013SHINE
Self-tracking solar concentration
1EPFL, 2CSEM
Enrico Chinello, Volker Zagolla, Didier Dominé,Eric Tremblay, Christophe Moser
[1]
[3]
[2]
[4]
[5]
Future studies will improve device scaling, to tailor it according to the desired concentration factor (for sili-con cells, up to 20x).
[1] Rodriguez et al., Design and cost considerations for practical solar-hydrogen generators, En. Env. Science, Issue 12, 2014;[2] Dumortier et al., Design guidelines for concentrated photo-electrochemical water splitting devices based on energy and greenhouse gas yield ratios, En. Env. Science, vol. 8, 2015;[3] Zagolla et al., Proof of principle demonstration of a self-tracking concentrator, Optics Express, vol.22, 2014;[4] Zagolla et al., , vol.20, 2012;[5] Zagolla et al., Self-tracking solar concentrator with an acceptance angle of 32°, Optics Express, vol.22, 2014.
The concentrator responds to sun-light actuating a coupling element. The principle of using the thermal expansion of a phase-change materi-al has been demonstrated .
Alternatively, the exploitation of bubble as coupling element has been validated .
pn
H O
H O
H O
H O
H O
H O
H O
H O
(gas)(gas)
H+
4e
4e
H O (gas)N (gas)
H O (gas)N (gas)
H O (gas)N (gas)
H O (gas)N (gas)
2 4H + 4+4H + 4 2H+
hv4e
Light
Glass slab waveguide
Concentrator adaptive coupling layer (IR heated)H N
Lens Array
Sunlight
PEC
Catalyst coated onpro
Thin conducting “foam” porousto conduct electrons & bringwater to the catalyst
H O (gas) + N (gas)
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