Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Optical and thermal characteristics of a solar collector with a stationary spherical reflector and a tracking absorber

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7336377· OSTI ID:7336377
A fixed segment of a concave spherical mirror can be used to concentrate beam radiation onto a tracking absorber which pivots about the center of curvature of the mirror. A possible economic advantage of this solar collector over concentrating collectors with tracking mirrors is reduced mirror cost. The objective of the investigation is to determine the potential of this system for electrical power production. Special emphasis is given to identifying the penalty associated with the fixed reflector. The results showed appreciable cosine losses even at the best times of the year. The overall system efficiency was found to be strongly dependent on the rim angle, the optical efficiency, the absorber temperature, and the degree of selectivity of the absorber surface.
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Livermore, Calif. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(29-1)-789
OSTI ID:
7336377
Report Number(s):
SAND76-8663; CONF-760832-12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English