Linear Fresnel Solar Mount

What is a linear Fresnel solar collector?

The linear Fresnel solar collector is a line-focus system similar to the parabolic trough. Unlike troughs, however, it uses an array of nearly flat reflectors to concentrate sunlight. Normally these are one-axis tracking, flat mirrors fixed to a steel structure on the ground.

What is a linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) solar mirror?

Linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) solar mirrors are analogues of the parabolic trough mirror, just as central receiver heliostats are analogues of parabolic dish collectors (Fig. 6.1), and together with a linear receiver above the LFR forms a linear Fresnel collector (LFC). Fig. 6.1. Basic linear Fresnel collector configuration seen from one end.

Which direction is a linear Fresnel reflector oriented?

So, these Systems are oriented whether in the direction South–North or East–West , and using a one-axis tracking System, they modify the tilt angle βj of each reflector (Fig. 4.9). In the case the receiver is oriented parallel to the North–South direction, we speak of a North–South orientation of the Linear Fresnel Reflector System.

Why is optical analysis important in linear Fresnel reflector systems design?

As a consequence, the optical analysis plays a significant role in Linear Fresnel Reflector Systems design. To model the optical efficiency of these Systems, only the direct solar radiation has to be considered, as well as the assumption that the primary solar field reflective elements are perfectly tracking the Sun.

What is a light absorbing receiver of a linear Fresnel collector?

The light absorbing receiver of a linear Fresnel collector is typically a selectively coated single steel tube or a bundle of steel tubes. Many linear Fresnel collector designs use a secondary concentrator above a single receiver tube to reflect those rays to the back of the receiver tube that missed it in the first place.

Why do linear Fresnel collectors have lower optical/thermal efficiency than parabolic troughs?

In addition, the fixed nature of the receiver assembly provides considerable design freedom. Linear Fresnel collectors have lower optical/thermal efficiency than parabolic troughs because the combination of a fixed receiver and the one-axis tracking mirror panels in a horizontal plane results into greater cosine losses than troughs [58–61].