Mathematical Analysis of Nonimaging Fresnel Lenses Using Refractive and Total Internal Reflection Prisms for Sunlight Concentration

During the design of nonimaging Fresnel lenses, the reflectance losses at the refracting surfaces should be taken into account because, depending on the parameters of each prism, semiacceptance angle theta(in) and output angle theta(out), these losses can decrease the total efficiency of the lens. On this subject, an analysis and comparison between a Fresnel lens composed only of refractive prisms and others with total internal reflection (TIR) prisms are presented and, using this information, a design method of hybrid Fresnel lenses composed of refractive and TIR prisms is proposed to reduce reflectance losses from the surface. The work presents the radiance profile and transmittance for a Fresnel lens of each type, to compare its advantages and disadvantages providing an alternative for the design and construction of nonimaging Fresnel lenses according to optical devices requirements.