Design, simulation and preliminary testing of a small dielectric CPC panel for daylighting control

Atrium is a main application of daylighting in architecture, but the drawback of excessive heat gain is always the barrier to be energy efficient. In the past preliminary study, solid parabolic compound concentrator (CPC) showed the potential of daylighting control to reject unwanted direct sunlight and heat gain but penetrate them when required. That past study, however, was based on a single unit of solid CPC. In this study, a CPC panel, which consists of an array of mini solid CPCs, is analyze. Firstly, the investigation of some crucial influential factors for transformation from a single element to a CPC panel is taken on the design stage. The results show that there is no obvious illumination performance difference between an elementary CPC and a CPC panel. And the performance loss due to joint gap from unavoidable machining imprecision can be compensated by the joint layer to some extent. And lastly, the final design strategy is proposed, the daylighting performance of designed CPC panel is simulated in Photopia, and a preliminary testing is conducted under a real sky condition.