Nonimaging Optics in Solar Energy

Joseph O'Gallagher was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He received his undergraduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physics. He then returned to Chicago, where he received a master's degree and a doctorate degree (both also in physics) from the University of Chicago. He served on the faculty at the University of Maryland in the early 1970s and, for much of the time since then, was a senior scientist and administrator and lecturer at the Physics Department of the University of Chicago. His research work at Chicago was directed toward the development of practical and economical solar thermal and solar photovoltaic concentrators utilizing nonimaging optics. Dr. O'Gallagher has been an active member of the American Solar Energy Society for more than 30 years and recently completed serving 6 years on its Board of Directors. Before beginning work in solar energy, Dr. O'Gallagher spent more than 15 years working in experimental space physics. He and his wife Ellen have been married for 45 years and have two grown sons, four grandsons, and one (very special) granddaughter. Dr. O'Gallagher retired from the University of Chicago in 2005 and since then has been dividing his time among getting to know his grandchildren, consulting, volunteer work, writing this book, and teaching and lecturing. He has published more than 185 articles and technical reports in both experimental and theoretical areas and has lectured frequently on the topics of space science, solar energy, "peak-oil," and global climate change.

• Introduction.- CPCs.- Practical Design of CPC Thermal Collectors.- Practical Design of CPC PV Concentrators.- Two-Stage Nonimaging Concentrators for Solar Thermal Applications.- Two-Stage Nonimaging Concentrators for Solar PV Applications.- Selected Demonstrations of Nonimaging Concentrator Performance.- The Importance of Economic Factors in Effective Solar Concentrator Design.- Ultrahigh Concentration.- Bibliography.