Planar micro-optic solar concentrator for natural daylighting systems in tropics

A planar micro-optic solar concentrator is reported as part of a natural daylight collection system for illumination of indoor spaces. A ray-tracing model is used to evaluate the full system efficiency, from lens array to planar waveguide and to optical fiber array. The lens array and waveguide modules are feasible to be fabricated using cost-effective nanoimprinting methods. Suitability of such daylighting systems for implementation in tropical regions is systematically presented using meteorological data.