Misalignments Measurement of CPV Optical Components through Image Acquisition

Concentrator Photovoltaics (CPV) technology relies on optical systems that concentrate sunlight on solar cells in exchange for a reduction of the permitted angular tolerance when pointing at the sun. A proper alignment between optics and photovoltaic receivers is crucial for the performance of this technology, particularly point focus CPV systems with concentration ratios above 100X that have narrow angular tolerances. This study presents the theoretical fundamentals of a method for evaluating misalignments in a CPV module. The method is based on the acquisition and analysis of images, taken by a camera, of the photovoltaic receivers magnified through the primary optics. The method has been successfully validated by empirical measurements and ray tracing simulations of a single lens-receiver unit.