A Comparison Of Tracking Methods For Solar Concentrators

Stephen Karl Eckhardt

doi:10.1117/12.937704

5 January 1984 A Comparison Of Tracking Methods For Solar Concentrators

Stephen Karl Eckhardt

Proceedings Volume 0441, Intl Conf on Nonimaging Concentrators; (1984) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.937704
Event: 27th Annual Technical Symposium, 1983, San Diego, United States

Abstract

The method of tracking used by a solar concentrator has an effect both on the cost of the system and on the size of concentrator necessary to collect a given amount of energy. A simple computer model was used to compare a mirror utilization factor, defined as the energy collected per unit mirror area, for five types of collectors: a fully tracking paraboloid, a North-South tracking parabolic trough, the General Atomics-Russell collector, a fixed spherical bowl with a tracking receiver, and a fixed mirror collector such as a CPC or a cusp. Two cases were considered: sea horizon and low-sun-angle shading. As might be expected, the mirror utilization factor for a given concentrator was found to be roughly proportional to the complexity of the tracking system, and therefore its cost, however, there are some seasonal variations which might make one type of concentrator more desirable than another in a given situation.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen Karl Eckhardt "A Comparison Of Tracking Methods For Solar Concentrators", Proc. SPIE 0441, Intl Conf on Nonimaging Concentrators, (5 January 1984); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.937704

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