Optimal design of nonimaging solar concentrators with wedge receivers

The geometric characteristics of a general class of nonimaging solar energy concentrators with wedge-shaped receivers are investigated. For concentrators with fixed receiver area and fixed geometric concentration ratio, an analytic solution is derived for the concentrator configuration that minimizes reflector area (often a key element in solar collector optimization). The configuration with minimal reflector area is not an ideal concentrator but is shown to represent significant savings in reflector area, relative to conventional collector configurations, at negligible sacrifice in yearly collectible energy.