Low cost photovoltaic concentrator array: a novel design utilizing glass-reinforced concrete

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5288240

Taylor, J R

MBAssociates (MBA) has designed and built a prototype of a Low Cost Photovoltaic Concentrator Array. This array features the development of a two-axis tracking system which is designed to support high concentration point-focus collectors (up to 400 suns). In addition to the cost advantages of reducing the expensive cell area in a high concentration Fresnel lens collector system, this array consists primarily of spray-molded glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) as the low-cost structura material that most advantageously meets system rigidity requirements. Another innovation consists of usng a GRC spherical module support structure which floats in an aqueous lubricant and serves as a spherical bearing about which the system turns. This large spherical bearing distributes loads without the use of expensive precision parts. The only precision components are two gear-head motors used to drive the sphere in two axis of motion. A 3/8-scale model tracking system and a full-scale high concentration (100 x solar, 80 x geometric) prototype collector module were built during this program. Detailed design, performance, and cost data are presented. (WHK)

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5288240
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-7053
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
COST
DESIGN
FRESNEL LENS
SUPPORTS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DEFORMATION
DIAGRAMS
DYNAMIC LOADS
FABRICATION
FIBERGLASS
FOUNDATIONS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MOLDING
PERFORMANCE
REINFORCED CONCRETE
SCALE MODELS
SEALING MATERIALS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR TRACKING
SPECIFICATIONS
SPHERICAL CONFIGURATION
STATIC LOADS
STRESSES
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
WIND LOADS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONCRETES
CONFIGURATION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
LENSES
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STRUCTURAL MODELS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion