Conceptual design and assessment of a profiled Fresnel lens daylight collector

Abstract

This paper describes design of daylight collectors using multiple Fresnel lenses, each facing the sun for a particular period of time in a day. The influence of solar movement on flat Fresnel lens was studied. The influence of groove density of the lens was also determined by which the suitable Fresnel lens was selected. Passive and profiled north-facing and south-facing collectors with multi-lens system have been designed based on the solar altitude and azimuth angle of a geographical location. Performance of the north- and south-facing collector at different times of a day with an acrylic dome indicated better efficiency and uniformity of lighting throughout the day time for the proposed profiled Fresnel collectors.