Engineering challenges in solar energy
Concentrating solar systems (CPV, CSP) require precise optical design to focus sunlight onto the small surface of a photovoltaic cell or thermal absorber. Even small errors in the shape of a Fresnel lens, a parabolic mirror, or a CPC concentrator translate into uneven illumination of the cell — leading to hot spots and performance degradation.
Classic flat photovoltaic panels also benefit from optical simulation — modeling anti-reflective coatings, analyzing shading from frames and mounting structures, and optimizing tilt angle and module array geometry. TracePro enables full system analysis — from the source (a sun model with an angular distribution), through the concentrating optics, to the fluence distribution on the cell.
How does our software support design?
| Product | Role in this area |
|---|---|
 | CPV concentrators (Fresnel, parabolic, CPC), shading analysis, cell illumination uniformity |
 | Designing Fresnel lenses and collimating optics for CPV systems |
 | Simulating detection and monitoring systems in solar installations with optical links |
optimizing a fixed solar collector for multiple sun positions
Design assumptions
The goal of the project was to design and optimize a fixed, non-tracking solar collector that maximizes the radiation flux reaching the receiver throughout the day, despite the sun's changing position in the sky. The entire process, from model building through analysis to optimization, was carried out in TracePro.
Collector model in TracePro
The concentrator and receiver geometry was built directly in TracePro or imported from a CAD system, then assigned surface properties (mirror reflectance, receiver absorption) and material properties. After defining a solar source with a real angular distribution, ray tracing and analysis of flux distribution and irradiance on the receiver surface were carried out.
Sun-position analysis in the Solar Emulator module
Using the Solar Emulator module, based on geographic coordinates and a given time interval (date, hour, time zone), the real trajectory of the sun in the sky was determined. This made it possible to assess system performance at different times of day and year, and compare a fixed collector's performance with a solar-tracking variant.
Geometry optimization
In the interactive TracePro optimizer, variables describing the concentrator geometry were defined together with target operands aimed at maximizing the flux reaching the receiver. After an initial ray-tracing pass to verify the settings, automatic profile optimization was carried out, improving concentration and the uniformity of illumination on the absorber.
Tuning for multiple sun positions
A key step for a fixed collector: a set of sources corresponding to successive sun positions throughout the day was defined, and the geometry was optimized simultaneously against all these configurations (Source Configuration). This way, a single, fixed shape delivers good energy yield across a wide range of incidence angles, not just around midday.
Verified design
The simulation made it possible to select the collector geometry, estimate energy yield over the daily cycle, and compare design variants before building a prototype. The finished model provided the data needed to manufacture the element and run further tests, reducing costly hardware iterations.
Frequently asked questions
Solar energy
Does TracePro include a spectral model for AM1.5 solar radiation?
Yes. TracePro includes the standard AM0 (extraterrestrial) and AM1.5 (sea-level, IEC 60904-3 standard) spectra, which can be used directly as a source in solar simulations.
Can shading between rows of PV panels be simulated?
Yes. TracePro allows modeling multi-row PV installations, analyzing shading between rows and from the mounting structure as a function of sun angle throughout the day and year.
Does TracePro account for the actual sun position for a given location?
Yes. The Solar Emulator module determines the sun's trajectory based on geographic coordinates, date, and time, allowing you to analyze collector performance at different times of day and year and model solar-tracking system behavior.
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