What is a solar concentrator?
A solar concentrator is a device that collects light over large areas and focuses it onto smaller areas of solar cells, increasing the electrical power obtained from each solar cell. Solar concentrators can reduce solar power costs because more electricity is obtained per solar cell, and fewer solar cells are needed.How They WorkA solar concentrator uses Fresnel lenses. These lenses resemble a dart board with a magnifying glass in the middle. The lenses take a large area of sunlight and direct it toward a spot by bending and focusing the rays of light into a tight beam. The same principle is in place when someone uses a magnifying glass to start a fire in paper or kindling. Three types of solar concentrators exist to make electricity.Parabolic TroughParabolic troughs use long, curved mirrors that concentrate sunlight on a liquid inside a tube running parallel to the mirror. The liquid then runs to a central collector and produces steam to power electric turbines. Parabolic trough conce
Solar concentrators collect light over large areas and focus it onto smaller areas of solar cells. This increases the electrical power obtained from each solar cell. Solar concentrators can reduce the cost of solar power since more electricity is obtained per solar cell, and fewer solar cells are needed.
