Development of a concentrating optics system for a photoelectrochemical hydrogen reactor
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Moelich, Arend
Creasey, George
Rodriguez Acosta, John
Hankin, Anna
McGregor, Craig
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Green hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. By supporting the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, the technology’s advantages in terms of scalability, low-cost materials, and reduced transmission losses can be utilised. This study presents the design, construction and characterisation of concentrating optics for on-sun testing with a PEC reactor. The optical design incorporates refractive primary optics (linear Fresnel lenses) and reflective secondary optics (stepped lightguide) to produce a scalable line-concentrating system. Ray tracing simulations predicted an optical concentration ratio (OCR) and optical efficiency of 12.5 and 51.3%, respectively. However, experimental testing revealed lower performance, with maximum OCR and optical efficiency of 5.8 and 23.8%, respectively. The greatest contributor to the discrepancy is found to be heightened stray losses in the demonstrated system. The results highlight the importance of precise manufacturing to reliably produce superior optical performance. Despite high losses and sensitivity to misalignment, the optics were successfully coupled with the PEC reactor to produce hydrogen in subsequent on-sun tests, the results contributing to an extended study investigating the up scaling of PEC reactor technology.
Date Issued
2025-11-28
Date Acceptance
2025-06-30
Citation
SolarPACES Conference Proceedings, 2025, 3, pp.1-9
Publisher
TIB Open Publishing
Start Page
1
End Page
9
Journal / Book Title
SolarPACES Conference Proceedings
Volume
3
Copyright Statement
Copyright (c) 2025 Arend Moelich, George Creasey, John Willman Rodriguez-Acosta, Anna Hankin, Craig McGregor. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
License URL
Identifier
10.52825/solarpaces.v3i.2291
Subjects
Concentrating Solar Optics
Linear Fresnel Lens Array
Solar Energy
Green Hydrogen
Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production
Publication Status
Published