Reply #16: "line-focus" Fresnel lens concentrator: [View All]

[BrightKnight]

http://www.stretchedlensarray.com/TheProject.htm

"NASA and ENTECH developed a new "line-focus" Fresnel lens concentrator. It was easier to make and more cost-effective than the mini-dome lens concentrator. In 1994, ABLE joined the refractive concentrator team and led the development of the SCARLET (Solar Concentrator Array using Refractive Linear Element Technology) solar array. SCARLET used a silicone Fresnel lens to focus sunlight at 8X concentration onto triple-junction solar cells. When NASA/JPL launched the Deep Space One spacecraft in October 1998, the SCARLET array powered both the spacecraft's electronics and the ion engine. "

The focal point is always the same regardless of the position of the sun. The lens is essentially focusing an image of the sky.

This was designed for PV. I don't see why it couldn't be adapted to generate heat for a Starling engine. stretched film would probably be a lot more cost effective than mirrors.