Design and experimental validation of a beam-splitting and light-guiding solar concentrator for photovoltaic-thermal applications

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dc.contributor.authorRiverola Lacasta, Alberto
dc.contributor.authorMoreno, A.
dc.contributor.authorLamnatou, Chrysovalantou
dc.contributor.authorSaiz Vela, Albert
dc.contributor.authorChemisana Villegas, Daniel
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-02T09:02:49Z
dc.date.available2026-10-02T09:02:49Z
dc.date.issued2026-12
dc.description.abstractThis work presents the design, modelling and experimental validation of a high-concentrating beam-splitting and light-guiding solar concentrator developed within the SolDAC project framework. The architecture combines a linear Fresnel reflector (18.6 ×) with optimised free-form secondary optical elements (SOEs) (31.8 ×), reaching a global geometric concentration of 591 × . The SOEs integrate a circulating deionised water-filled cavity that performs spectral splitting and heat extraction while transforming the line focus into a light guiding-compatible point focus. Ray-tracing simulations show a global optical efficiency of ∼ 55%, accounting for reflection losses, transmission through the SOEs and absorption in the liquid cavity. The integrated system exhibits a tracking acceptance angle of ± 0.4°, consistent with high-concentration optics. Irradiance non-uniformity at the SOE exit is mitigated through a kaleidoscopic homogeniser to ensure stable photovoltaic operation. Experimental measurements on a full-scale prototype confirm the main optical trends provided by the design model, including the irradiance distribution at the Fresnel focus, the spectral transmission of the secondary receiver and the system-level optical performance. The proposed architecture demonstrates the feasibility of integrating high-concentration optics, liquid spectral splitting and light guiding into a single configuration intended for future CPVT (concentrating photovoltaic–thermal) systems for solar-driven CO2 capture and conversion.
dc.description.sponsorshipThe authors would like to thank the European Commission for the financial support for the SolDAC project funded through Horizon Europe programme (grant agreement 101069359 ), the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci\u00F3n (grant reference: PID2022-142601OB-I00 ), and Generalitat de Catalunya (grant reference: 2021 SGR 01618 ). D. Chemisana thanks Instituci\u00F3 Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avan\u00E7ats (ICREA) for the ICREA Acad\u00E8mia award. Chr. Lamnatou is an Associate Professor of the Serra H\u00FAnter programme. Alex Moreno Bellostes is a Serra H\u00FAnter Fellow.
dc.identifier10.1016/j.enconman.2026.122146
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.122146
dc.identifier.issn0196-8904
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/471270
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relationinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2022-142601OB-I00
dc.relation.isformatofReproducció del document publicat a https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.122146
dc.relation.ispartofEnergy Conversion and Management, 2026, vol. 370, 122146
dc.relation.ispartofseriesEnergy Conversion and Management
dc.relation.projectIDinfo:eu-repo/grantagreement/ECHorizon Europe/Horizon EuropeSolDAC101069359/ES/HorizonEurope
dc.rightscc-by, (c) Riverola, et al., 2026
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International*
dc.rights.accessRightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/*
dc.subjectLinear fresnel reflector
dc.subjectFreeform secondary optics
dc.subjectSpectral splitting
dc.subjectÉtendue
dc.titleDesign and experimental validation of a beam-splitting and light-guiding solar concentrator for photovoltaic-thermal applications
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.type.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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