A Novel Quasi-Stationary Cpc-Type Solar Collector For Intermediate Temperature Range Applications For Process Heat: Simulation And Experimental Results

The solar collector options available on the market for the intermediate temperature range (100 degrees C to 200 degrees C) are limited and mostly based on the upper temperature limits attainable with stationary technologies or with higher concentration technologies adapted to a lower temperature application range. A new solar collector was developed specially for this temperature range based on the quasi-stationary (seasonally tracking) concept with a non-imaging CPC-type reflector to take advantage of the stationary features (no tracking system, diffuse radiation collection, etc) while using a moderate concentration factor increasing its thermal efficiency. The collector design is the result of an optimization model aiming at producing energy at the lowest possible cost ((sic)/kWh), during the expected collector lifetime in a specific installation. This paper presents the simulated and experimental performance results of two prototypes. The first, built to prove the concept, showed promising results. The second, already at a pre-commercially development stage, presented an efficiency of around 40% for an operating temperature of 180 degrees C (30 degrees C ambient temperature) and a stagnation temperature close to 400 degrees C.