In this article, we propose a new solar concentrator based on spectral splitting of sunlight. Spectral splitting has the objective to collect different spectra onto spectrally adapted solar cells for a more efficient use of the Sun's spectrum. Its combination with solar concentration makes an alternative to classical technologies. The proposed concentrator is composed of a diffractive/refractive optical element that spectrally splits and focuses the light onto a waveguide. The light is then conducted by total internal reflection towards the two specific solar cells. The optical concept and optimization of each element is presented in this paper. An adaptation for dye sensitized solar cells is performed. A geometrical factor around 5× is reached. Finally, theoretical optical efficiency, the manufacturing process and experimental testing with a collimated Sun simulator are presented.

We present a new solar concentrator concept. This concept is based on spectral splitting. It implies reflective, refractive and diffractive elements that allow two spectrally differentiated beams to reach different and/or unmatched lattice solar cells. The aimed geometrical concentration factor is 5× and the theoretical optical efficiency of that concentrator concept reaches theoretically 82%. The following study will discuss the concept of such a solar concentrator. A practical application to dye sensitized solar cells is given. The manufacturing and design of the element is then exposed. Those elements have been tested in the laboratory. Good agreements with theoretical simulations are demonstrated.