Definition

A Fresnel lens design uses grooves embedded into the surface of a thin plastic or glass sheet refracting light like small prisms thus enabling the construction of light lenses that are much thinner and passing more light than older lens designs. Fresnel lenses are mainly used in light gathering applications like solar concentrators but are not efficient as magnifiers due to the high level of distortion.

Solar Concentrators use mirrors or lenses, like Fresnel lenses, to concentrate sunlight for electrical power generation which is produced when the concentrated light is converted into heat which drives a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator.

Background Information