Optimal V-Reflector Design With Maximum Solar Concentration

Abstract

For low-concentration solar applications, v-reflectors are attractive choice to collect sunlight since they are simple to build with reduced manufacturing cost and technical requirements. In this paper, with the account for the power evolution of all possible reflection modes, careful modeling for the concentration ratio of such collectors was achieved and optimized by numerical methods in order to determine the optimal apex-angle that facilitates maximum utilization of the solar energy. The outcome of this research is interesting since it provides a useful recipe for an optimal design of v-reflectors that can be found in various solar applications.