Parametric Analysis of the Fixed Mirror Solar Concentrator for Medium Temperature Applications

Abstract

[eng] The Fixed Mirror Solar Concentrator (FMSC) is a geometry that can produce thermal energy in medium temperature range. FMSC presents some advantages compared to other designs due to the static reflector, such as best integration in to building roofs. An optical ray-tracing analysis of the geometry has been presented in a previous paper. The optical results were obtained in function of three design parameters: the number of mirrors N, the ratio of focal length and reflector width F/W, and the intercept factor γ (in order to represent different receiver widths). Now, the integrated thermal output of the same parameter combinations has been determined in order to find optimal values of the design parameters at a working temperature of 200ºC. The results have been obtained for three different weathers, and two orientations (North-South, and East-West ).