LFR plants generally have lower efficiencies due to optical losses in the mirror field. These include blocking of
reflected radiation and shading of mirrors from incoming radiation. A number of studies have sought to maximise
the optical efficiency of the mirror field by adjusting the layout of the field [1], however few change both the
position and the size of the mirrors. [2]
A compact linear Fresnel system creates multiple receiver targets for the reflectors, reducing optical losses as
adjacent mirrors now have dissimilar angles [3]. This also reduces the amount of land required for a plant, thus
making the implementation more cost effective. An etendue matched mirror field paired with a compact linear
Fresnel layout and finite mirror sizes yielded a peak optical efficiency of approximately 85% . Etendue is defined
as the product of the solid angle subtended by the aperture’s entrance and the area of the source and a system where
the etendue of the incoming radiation is equal to the etendue of the outgoing radiation is an optical system with zero
losses. An etendue matched mirror field therefore positions mirrors along a curve determined through etendue
conservation and sizes mirrors based on the position within the field.