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The Cost and Value of Washing Heliostats

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1545810· OSTI ID:1545810
 [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
An equation is derived for the washing frequency that minimizes cost per unit energy for solar collectors of any type. Central receiver heliostats of two designs are used in an example, and the results for Albuquerque soiling rates show that washing 15-30 times per year is worthwhile. he optimal frequency depends on the square root of such factors as the cost per wash and the daily loss in reflectivity, but it is not sensitive to number of collectors or plant size. The frequency for minimum cost per unit energy corresponds to the strategy of washing whenever the value of the extra energy from cleaner mirrors will pay for the cost of the wash.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
1545810
Report Number(s):
SAND--78-8813; 388866
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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