Optical design of a solar flux homogenizer for concentrator photovoltaics

An optical solution is described for the redistribution of the light reflected from a 400-m(2) paraboloidal solar concentrating dish as uniformly as possible over an approximately 1-m(2) plane. Concentrator photovoltaic cells will be mounted at this plane, and they require a uniform light distribution for high efficiency. It is proposed that the solar cells will be mounted at the output of a rectangular receiver box with reflective sidewalls (i.e., a kaleidoscope), which will redistribute the light. I discuss the receiver box properties that influence the light distribution reaching the solar cells. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.