A Stanford University researcher has created an optimal concentrator in the form of a pyramid that is capable of capturing more than 90% of the light that falls on its surface, significantly improving the performance of solar panels, even on cloudy days.
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. And this is what can be deduced at first sight when knowing the new light capture system that he has devised Nina Vaidyaengineering researcher at Stanford University.
The also assistant professor at the University of Southampton has created AGILE, acronym for “Axally Graded Index Lens”a stack of lenses in the shape of an inverted pyramid that is capable of capturing sunlight from any position and with an efficiency never seen before.
Said system lacks any mobile device or any other type, it is fixed and allows light to be captured with an efficiency greater than 90%which in practice is more than triple what current solar panels achieve.
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AGILE is capable of achieving all this even in diffuse light, that is, on cloudy days. Its operation is based “on nature”says Vaidya, who acknowledges that “there are characteristics of AGILE that can be found in the retina of fish and in the compound eyes of insects, where a gradient index is present as anti-reflective to maximize transmission and allow camouflage.”
From the theory to the practice
At the moment, Nina Vaidya has not indicated any intention to commercialize her energy harvesting system, although the study has been carried out using readily available materials.
“Abundant and affordable clean energy is a vital part of addressing urgent climate and sustainability challenges,” Vaidya said. “We need to catalyze engineering solutions to make that a reality”.
AGILE prototypes have been created with different layers of glasses and polymers that deflect light to different degrees. Such layers are able to modify the incidence of light in different steps, rather than through a smooth curve. And, since the sides of the pyramid are reflected, any light is relocated in the direction of the vanishing point (the narrowest side of the pyramid).
The AGILE lens prototype shown in three stages of development. A: Bonded glass. B: With aluminum side walls. C: With a solar cell that absorbs light. Photo: Nina Vaidya
After much testing, Vaidya has determined that various commercially used polymers and glasses perform well and has even manufactured an AGILE prototype using 3D printing.
“It’s one of these ‘Moonshot Thinking’ adventures (tackling a seemingly intractable problem with radical and highly innovative solutions), going straight from theory to actual prototypes,” says Vaidya. “There are many theoretical articles and great ideas, but it is difficult to make them a reality with real designs and real materials that push the limits of what was previously considered impossible».
Vaidya’s forecast is that the AGILE pyramid can be used in the solar industry, but also that it has its application in laser coupling and in display and lighting technologies.
Font: Stanford University