Work

Impact of Surface Modification on Performance of Solar Concentrators

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study analyzes the impact of powder-blasted surface modification on the performance of non-imaging solar concentrators and evaluates a ray-tracing simulation approach to virtual solar power measurements. Powder blasting was applied to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheets to create a rough, Lambertian-like scattering surface, enhancing light trapping and total internal reflection. The effects of this modification were systematically assessed using optical transmission spectroscopy, angular scattering measurements, and solar cell efficiency characterization under standard AM1.5 illumination. The results show that surface roughening significantly improves light redirection toward the concentrator’s edge, enhancing solar cell performance. OptisWorks ray-tracing simulations were employed to model the concentrator’s optical behavior, demonstrating strong agreement (within 5–10% deviation) with experimental data. These findings confirm that surface modification is crucial in optimizing concentrator efficiency and establishing ray tracing as a reliable tool for virtual performance evaluation in photovoltaic applications.

Source: Solar

DOI: 10.3390/solar5020017

Authors: Nikolaos Skandalos, Gudrun Kocher-Oberlehner

Institutions: University of Patras, Heriot-Watt University

Language: English

Topic: solar cell performance optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207