Since 1997 the activities of study and experimentation of our group are included in the renewable energy research field, in paticular in solar energy exploitation. This sector, which is an essential element in the national energy balance, is enhancing its presence in the production and industrial research, as it was highlighted by the growing importance of developing technologies for the exploitation of alternative energy sources, such as solar energy.

This line of research is devoted to the study of optical systems suitable for the concentration of sunlight that brought us to address various issues by concentrating on small surfaces, as may be optical fibres or small cells, or on larger systems, as collectors for the production of thermal energy or power stations with large mirrors. Our activities therefore cover several aspects, always in the optical field, from the designs of individual elements or entire optical systems to the realization of tests on optical components in order to verify their correct operation.

COMPETENCIES

• Development of optical tests for the control of the characteristics of concentration systems.
• Development of systems for solar tracking with variable resolution and angle of view.
• Design of optical components and optical systems for solar concentration.

ACTIVITIES

• Participation in European projects, National and Regional projects in collaboration with other research institutions and companies.
• Consultancy for private companies for the design of custom systems and for studies of issues related to solar concentration.
• Study of solar lighting collectors, concentrating photovoltaic systems, collectors for solar thermal and heliostats.
• Test of solar collectors in laboratory and outdoor.
• Profilometric controls of heliostats, parabolic troughs or other collectors.