Design and development of a reinforced plastic trough module

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6665699

The basic objectives of the program were as follows: (1) survey and screen candidate, large structural part plastic processes; (2) investigate the feasibility of molding accurate trough substrates (not including a reflector) with plastic-process combinations that have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of existing trough concentrator modules; and (3) compile a sufficient materials and process data base so that meaningful conclusions can be formulated as to the cost effectiveness of reinforced plastic trough concentrator modules. A four task program was structured to identify and assess the feasibility of a reinforced plastic trough concentrator module for concentrator solar cells. The first task evaluated candidate materials and processes and compiled material and process data needed for the subsequent trough design effort. The second task built on the compiled material and process data base and formulated a baseline reinforced plastic trough design. During a third task a prototype mold was designed and fabricated which was then used to mold prototype trough segments. A fourth task evaluated the basic structural properties and contour accuracies of the molded trough segments. In addition basic conclusions were formulated as to the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of large reinforced plastic trough concentrator modules. (LEW)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Philadelphia, PA (USA). Valley Forge Space Center
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6665699
• Report Number(s): SAND-80-7150
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM
COATINGS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
CONVERSION
COST
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EPOXIDES
EQUIPMENT
ESTERS
EXPANSION
FABRICATION
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
GLASS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LASERS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
MOLDING
MONOMERS
NICKEL
OPTICS
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PLASTICS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
REFLECTIVE COATINGS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SPRAY COATING
STEELS
SURFACE COATING
THERMAL EXPANSION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VISCOSITY