Performance evaluation of large-area glass-mirror heliostats
Heliostats using glass-mirror reflectors have been built in sizes up to 200 square meters. These large-area heliostats are over three times bigger than second-generation heliostats and represent the culmination of DOE's second-generation heliostat development program. Using larger heliostats provides economies of scale resulting in lower costs per unit area. There is, however, a penalty in optical performance with using large-area heliostats. In addition, because of their size, large heliostats are more difficult to clean and could be more prone to damage by wind loading. To address these concerns, Sandia National Laboratories purchased two large-area heliostats, one from Advanced Thermal Systems (ATS) and the other from Solar Power Engineering Co. (SPECO), with reflective areas of 150 and 200 square meters, respectively. Both incorporate design improvements that were suggested but not employed during previous development programs. The heliostats were installed at the Central Receiver Test Facility (CRTF) for Sandia to test and evaluate. Tests were designed to provide a basis for comparing the performance of the heliostats against Sandia's specifications for optical performance and structural integrity. Specific issues addressed included: (1) quality of the reflective beam, (2) performance of the tracking and heliostat control system, (3) quality and pointing accuracy of the beam under wind loads, (4) efficacy of alternative methods for cleaning the mirrors, and (5) long-term durability of the mirror, drives, and support structure.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6981596
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-2910C; CONF-880655-3; ON: DE88011883
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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