UPS2, the newly formed ultra-precision engineering group, has developed an advanced machine which enables Fresnel lens manufacturers to improve the efficiencies of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules.
The highly accurate diamond turning machine has been recently optimized to improve the performance for Fresnel lens cutting, making it capable of manufacturing larger linear and more accurately shaped radial lenses.
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“We can cut both conventional and linear Fresnel lens shapes to a corner sharpness of less than 2µm and a facet roughness less than 3nm, resulting in significant improvements in the efficiency of the lens,” said Arjen Mateboer, business development manager.
“Our customers use our drums/moulds in both reel to reel and stamping processes and are reporting improvements in the order of 5%. This may not sound a lot but every few percentage improvement of light falling onto a cell brings a marked improvement to the overall efficiency of the systems. We can also make very large linear master moulds – up to 1.4m long with multiple pattern repeats – which are proving very popular with our clients,” continued Mateboer.