An economic and performance evaluation of parabolic trough component improvements

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6065130

Gee, R C; Murphy, L M

Improved parabolic trough concentrating collectors will result from better design, improved fabrication techniques, and the development and use of improved materials. This paper presents and implements an easily applied methodology that quantifies the performance potential of selected parabolic through component improvements from a systems viewpoint and uses performance data to determine the economic value of each improvement. Specifically considered are evacuated receivers, silvered glass reflectors, improved receiver selective coatings, higher optical accuracy concentrators, and higher transmittance receiver glazings. Upperbound costs for each improvement are provided as are estimates of the increased solar energy system rates of return made possible by these improvements. The performance and economic potentials of some of these improvements are substantial, especially at higher collector operating temperatures.

• Research Organization: Solar Energy Research Institute, Thermal Systems and Engineering Branch, Golden, CO 80401
• OSTI ID: 6065130
• Journal Information: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Sol. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 105:1; ISSN JSEED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
BUILDING MATERIALS
CAPITALIZED COST
COATINGS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
COST ESTIMATION
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EVACUATED COLLECTORS
FABRICATION
GLASS
GLAZES
GLAZING MATERIALS
MATERIALS
MEASURING METHODS
METALS
MODIFICATIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTIMIZATION
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFLECTIVE COATINGS
REFLECTIVITY
RETROFITTING
SILVER
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SPECTRALLY SELECTIVE SURFACES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS