Heliostat - Revision history

Eric: Added some more links under the "See Also" section

2019-04-24T15:19:36Z

Added some more links under the "See Also" section

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 24 April 2019
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	=See Also=		=See Also=
	* [[Kibbutz_Samar#Solar]]		* [[Kibbutz_Samar#Solar]]
			*[[Open Source Solar Energy Construction Set]]

	=External Links=		=External Links=

Eric: Moved some stuff around

2019-04-24T15:16:01Z

Moved some stuff around

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 24 April 2019
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	I like what you've done, and it looks pretty advanced. Nobody's ever beat a cost of $250 for a square meter of built, installed and actuated heliostat, and it's exciting that your cost is so low. Looking at your youtube video of your mirrors moving, I really appreciate your sensing solution--that's very smart and effective. I think your biggest problem right now is of accuracy. Looking at the step size of your mirrors as they move, it looks like their accuracy is worse than .5 degrees, and the maximum theoretical concentration a field of heliostats is limited by your angular error (as well as the optics of your receiver). I'd work on improving that.		I like what you've done, and it looks pretty advanced. Nobody's ever beat a cost of $250 for a square meter of built, installed and actuated heliostat, and it's exciting that your cost is so low. Looking at your youtube video of your mirrors moving, I really appreciate your sensing solution--that's very smart and effective. I think your biggest problem right now is of accuracy. Looking at the step size of your mirrors as they move, it looks like their accuracy is worse than .5 degrees, and the maximum theoretical concentration a field of heliostats is limited by your angular error (as well as the optics of your receiver). I'd work on improving that.

	~~=Arduino-Based Heliostat Controller=~~
	From [[Daan van Geijlswijk]], daan #at# zininzelfdoen.nl, who is working on an open source heliostat system: http://zininzelfdoen.ning.com/ . One particular focus of this effort is the development of lighting systems for buildings ("sun mirror")

	==Work by Gabriel Miller at Cerebral Meltdown==		==Work by Gabriel Miller at Cerebral Meltdown==
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	[[File:Heliostat_Array_Cassegrain_reflector.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Field of heliostats in a "beam down" Cassegrain reflector arrangement. The array focuses the sunrays onto a hyperbolic reflector which brings them down to ground level where a solar thermal reactor is located.]]		[[File:Heliostat_Array_Cassegrain_reflector.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Field of heliostats in a "beam down" Cassegrain reflector arrangement. The array focuses the sunrays onto a hyperbolic reflector which brings them down to ground level where a solar thermal reactor is located.]]

			=Arduino-Based Heliostat Controller=
			From [[Daan van Geijlswijk]], daan #at# zininzelfdoen.nl, who is working on an open source heliostat system: http://zininzelfdoen.ning.com/ . One particular focus of this effort is the development of lighting systems for buildings ("sun mirror")

	=Heliostat array=		=Heliostat array=

Eric: Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

2019-04-24T15:13:27Z

Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 24 April 2019
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	A heliostat is a mirror that tracks the sun and continuously reflects sunlight onto a fixed target. Heliostats are often controlled by electric motors which constantly move the mirror to compensate for the movement of the sun during the day and year. These movements may be calculated by a computer. Alternatively, a photosensor may be used to find the current position of the sun. Large solar thermal power plants sometimes consist of an array of heliostats that focus sunlight onto a central tower.		A heliostat is a mirror that tracks the sun and continuously reflects sunlight onto a fixed target. Heliostats are often controlled by electric motors which constantly move the mirror to compensate for the movement of the sun during the day and year. These movements may be calculated by a computer. Alternatively, a photosensor may be used to find the current position of the sun. Large solar thermal power plants sometimes consist of an array of heliostats that focus sunlight onto a central tower.
	[[File:heliostat1.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|Commercial heliostat array]]		[[File:heliostat1.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|Commercial heliostat array]]

	=Heliostats by Leo Gerst at Heliostat.us=		=Various Corrospondences with SME's=
			==Heliostats by Leo Gerst at Heliostat.us==
	Leo Gerst (link: [http://www.heliostat.us Heliostat.us]) has built heliostat prototypes that cost $130 per square meter total for a 2-axis tracking heliostat - using off-shelf parts. This is a breakthrough price achievement, and indicates potential economic feasibility of concentrator solar thermal power using heliostats on a small scale. For example, 30 such mirrors, at $4k - at 30 kW of energy focused on a square meter - could realistically power a heat engine. The detailed price list is:		Leo Gerst (link: [http://www.heliostat.us Heliostat.us]) has built heliostat prototypes that cost $130 per square meter total for a 2-axis tracking heliostat - using off-shelf parts. This is a breakthrough price achievement, and indicates potential economic feasibility of concentrator solar thermal power using heliostats on a small scale. For example, 30 such mirrors, at $4k - at 30 kW of energy focused on a square meter - could realistically power a heat engine. The detailed price list is:

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	Download the Excel spreadsheet for some sourcing links [http://openfarmtech.org/heliostat_BOM.xls here].		Download the Excel spreadsheet for some sourcing links [http://openfarmtech.org/heliostat_BOM.xls here].

	=Conversation of Leo Gerst with Marcin=		==Conversation of Leo Gerst with Marcin==
	*See heliostat prototypes from Leo (leogerst at hotmail dot com): http://www.heliostat.us/howitworks.htm		*See heliostat prototypes from Leo (leogerst at hotmail dot com): http://www.heliostat.us/howitworks.htm

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	*Shower head screws into PVC		*Shower head screws into PVC

	=Conversation of Leo Gerst with Alex Hornstein=		==Conversation of Leo Gerst with Alex Hornstein==
	---------- Forwarded message ----------		---------- Forwarded message ----------
	From: Alex Hornstein <alex#at#nublabs#dot#com>		From: Alex Hornstein <alex#at#nublabs#dot#com>
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	From [[Daan van Geijlswijk]], daan #at# zininzelfdoen.nl, who is working on an open source heliostat system: http://zininzelfdoen.ning.com/ . One particular focus of this effort is the development of lighting systems for buildings ("sun mirror")		From [[Daan van Geijlswijk]], daan #at# zininzelfdoen.nl, who is working on an open source heliostat system: http://zininzelfdoen.ning.com/ . One particular focus of this effort is the development of lighting systems for buildings ("sun mirror")

	=Work by Gabriel Miller at Cerebral Meltdown=		==Work by Gabriel Miller at Cerebral Meltdown==
	Heliostats are generally used for solar energy. Although not as popular as solar panels, they can potentially give you access to considerable amounts of untapped heat energy for a much lower price, assuming, of course, you build it yourself.		Heliostats are generally used for solar energy. Although not as popular as solar panels, they can potentially give you access to considerable amounts of untapped heat energy for a much lower price, assuming, of course, you build it yourself.
	* more at: http://www.cerebralmeltdown.com/heliostatprojects/		* more at: http://www.cerebralmeltdown.com/heliostatprojects/
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	</html>		</html>

	=Work by Brendan from heliostats.org=		==Work by Brendan from heliostats.org==
	Brendan from [http://www.heliostats.org/ Heliostats.org] has very detailed information about his open source heliostat project on his blog-like website. His concept uses gears printed out with a Makerbot. The heliostat is controlled by an Arduino.		Brendan from [http://www.heliostats.org/ Heliostats.org] has very detailed information about his open source heliostat project on his blog-like website. His concept uses gears printed out with a Makerbot. The heliostat is controlled by an Arduino.

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	Note: For the figures above, the value of generated power assumes available solar energy of 1000 watts per square meter, with the conversion to electricity operating at 10% efficiency (100 watts per square meter). It assumes 5 hours a day of sun, 300 days a year, so this really only works for the US Southwest and similar climates. Power is considered to be worth .12/kW-hour -- whether used or sold back to the utility.		Note: For the figures above, the value of generated power assumes available solar energy of 1000 watts per square meter, with the conversion to electricity operating at 10% efficiency (100 watts per square meter). It assumes 5 hours a day of sun, 300 days a year, so this really only works for the US Southwest and similar climates. Power is considered to be worth .12/kW-hour -- whether used or sold back to the utility.

	=Work by Lucifer Ursum=		==Work by Lucifer Ursum==
	[http://home.tiscali.nl/markhome/index.html?suntrack/suntrack Here is a heliostat] which was sent in by Mark. He says that he has had it up and running for about a year now without having to make any recalibrations. It looks pretty cool. He has several more projects on his site besides just this one, so don't forget to check them out too. More information at [http://www.heliostaat.nl/ Heliostaat.nl (in Dutch)].		[http://home.tiscali.nl/markhome/index.html?suntrack/suntrack Here is a heliostat] which was sent in by Mark. He says that he has had it up and running for about a year now without having to make any recalibrations. It looks pretty cool. He has several more projects on his site besides just this one, so don't forget to check them out too. More information at [http://www.heliostaat.nl/ Heliostaat.nl (in Dutch)].

	=Dan Rojas and Josh Jordan at GreenPowerScience=		==Dan Rojas and Josh Jordan at GreenPowerScience==
	<html>		<html>
	<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//C6_G4VJosG4" frameborder="0"></iframe>		<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//C6_G4VJosG4" frameborder="0"></iframe>
	</html>		</html>

	=Work by Rob at IwillTry.org=		==Work by Rob at IwillTry.org==
	Array of 7 mirrors, each 1′x4′ in size mounted to a 4′x8′ plywood backing reinforced by a 2×3 frame to prevent warping. The frame is supported by a welded steel gimbal mount allowing rotation about both horizontal and vertical axes. Each axis is equipped with a stepper motor and leadscrew to adjust the position. [http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/build-a-heliostat-for-solar-heating-and-lighting/ Link here]		Array of 7 mirrors, each 1′x4′ in size mounted to a 4′x8′ plywood backing reinforced by a 2×3 frame to prevent warping. The frame is supported by a welded steel gimbal mount allowing rotation about both horizontal and vertical axes. Each axis is equipped with a stepper motor and leadscrew to adjust the position. [http://www.iwilltry.org/b/projects/build-a-heliostat-for-solar-heating-and-lighting/ Link here]

Eric: Added some more details + sections

2019-04-24T15:09:37Z

Added some more details + sections

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:09, 24 April 2019
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	{{Category=Solar Power}}		{{Category=Solar Power}}
			=Basics=
	A heliostat is a mirror that tracks the sun and continuously reflects sunlight onto a fixed target. Heliostats are often controlled by electric motors which constantly move the mirror to compensate for the movement of the sun during the day and year. These movements may be calculated by a computer. Alternatively, a photosensor may be used to find the current position of the sun. Large solar thermal power plants sometimes consist of an array of heliostats that focus sunlight onto a central tower.		A heliostat is a mirror that tracks the sun and continuously reflects sunlight onto a fixed target. Heliostats are often controlled by electric motors which constantly move the mirror to compensate for the movement of the sun during the day and year. These movements may be calculated by a computer. Alternatively, a photosensor may be used to find the current position of the sun. Large solar thermal power plants sometimes consist of an array of heliostats that focus sunlight onto a central tower.
	[[File:heliostat1.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|Commercial heliostat array]]		[[File:heliostat1.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|right\|Commercial heliostat array]]

Eric: Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

2019-04-24T15:09:07Z

Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

Maltfield at 11:07, 24 April 2019

2019-04-24T11:07:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:07, 24 April 2019
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	[[Image:Death_ray.jpg\|300px\|right]]		[[Image:Death_ray.jpg\|300px\|right]]

			==See Also==
			* [[Kibbutz_Samar#Solar]]

	==External Links==		==External Links==

Rasmus: /* Various applications and product ecology */

2016-03-01T15:19:17Z

Various applications and product ecology

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 1 March 2016
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	[[File:Solar_reactor.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Solar reactor in the lab of Prof. Aldo Steinfeld und doctoral student Philipp Furler at ETHZ (Zurich, Switzerland). This lab has done a lot of work on areas such as solar thermochemistry and solar fuels.]]		[[File:Solar_reactor.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Solar reactor in the lab of Prof. Aldo Steinfeld und doctoral student Philipp Furler at ETHZ (Zurich, Switzerland). This lab has done a lot of work on areas such as solar thermochemistry and solar fuels.]]

	* solar '''calcination''' for the production of lime and cement (proven concept: [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0038092X05002240 solar chemical reactor]~~, also described [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X10003580 here in more detail])~~. Lime can be used for the stabilization of CEBs. The calcination process (in whatever way it is done) requires high temperatures of 900-1000°C or higher. Not a problem on a sunny day but you will need multiple heliostats or your focus point will be too tiny to get any serious amount of calcination done. Lime is also an essential ingredient for the production of [[Acetylene_production\| acetylene]].		* solar '''calcination''' for the production of lime and cement (proven concept: [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0038092X05002240 solar chemical reactor]. Lime can be used for the stabilization of CEBs. The calcination process (in whatever way it is done) requires high temperatures of 900-1000°C or higher. Not a problem on a sunny day but you will need multiple heliostats or your focus point will be too tiny to get any serious amount of calcination done. Lime is also an essential ingredient for the production of [[Acetylene_production\| acetylene]]. Solar thermochemical processing (for fuels) is also described [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X10003580 here in detail].

	* '''solar sintering''' of sand and clays to make construction materials such as tiles, bricks and pipes. This technology is being developed in the US (NASA, private companies) for the purpose of melting lunar regolith ([http://www.permanent.com/i-sinter.htm ref] and [http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/HumanExplore/Exploration/EXLibrary/DOCS/EIC049.HTML ref]. A concentrated beam of light is focused onto the substrate, heating it up but not to melting temperature. The grains stick together, solidifying the material.		* '''solar sintering''' of sand and clays to make construction materials such as tiles, bricks and pipes. This technology is being developed in the US (NASA, private companies) for the purpose of melting lunar regolith ([http://www.permanent.com/i-sinter.htm ref] and [http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/HumanExplore/Exploration/EXLibrary/DOCS/EIC049.HTML ref]. A concentrated beam of light is focused onto the substrate, heating it up but not to melting temperature. The grains stick together, solidifying the material.

Rasmus: /* Various applications and product ecology */ fixed broken link

2016-03-01T15:16:55Z

Various applications and product ecology: fixed broken link

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 1 March 2016
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	[[File:Solar_reactor.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Solar reactor in the lab of Prof. Aldo Steinfeld und doctoral student Philipp Furler at ETHZ (Zurich, Switzerland). This lab has done a lot of work on areas such as solar thermochemistry and solar fuels.]]		[[File:Solar_reactor.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|right\|Solar reactor in the lab of Prof. Aldo Steinfeld und doctoral student Philipp Furler at ETHZ (Zurich, Switzerland). This lab has done a lot of work on areas such as solar thermochemistry and solar fuels.]]

	* solar '''calcination''' for the production of lime and cement (proven concept: [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0038092X05002240 solar chemical reactor], also described [http://www.~~pre~~.~~ethz.ch~~/~~research~~/~~projects~~/~~?id=lime~~ here in more detail]). Lime can be used for the stabilization of CEBs. The calcination process (in whatever way it is done) requires high temperatures of 900-1000°C or higher. Not a problem on a sunny day but you will need multiple heliostats or your focus point will be too tiny to get any serious amount of calcination done. Lime is also an essential ingredient for the production of [[Acetylene_production\| acetylene]].		* solar '''calcination''' for the production of lime and cement (proven concept: [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0038092X05002240 solar chemical reactor], also described [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X10003580 here in more detail]). Lime can be used for the stabilization of CEBs. The calcination process (in whatever way it is done) requires high temperatures of 900-1000°C or higher. Not a problem on a sunny day but you will need multiple heliostats or your focus point will be too tiny to get any serious amount of calcination done. Lime is also an essential ingredient for the production of [[Acetylene_production\| acetylene]].

	* '''solar sintering''' of sand and clays to make construction materials such as tiles, bricks and pipes. This technology is being developed in the US (NASA, private companies) for the purpose of melting lunar regolith ([http://www.permanent.com/i-sinter.htm ref] and [http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/HumanExplore/Exploration/EXLibrary/DOCS/EIC049.HTML ref]. A concentrated beam of light is focused onto the substrate, heating it up but not to melting temperature. The grains stick together, solidifying the material.		* '''solar sintering''' of sand and clays to make construction materials such as tiles, bricks and pipes. This technology is being developed in the US (NASA, private companies) for the purpose of melting lunar regolith ([http://www.permanent.com/i-sinter.htm ref] and [http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/HumanExplore/Exploration/EXLibrary/DOCS/EIC049.HTML ref]. A concentrated beam of light is focused onto the substrate, heating it up but not to melting temperature. The grains stick together, solidifying the material.
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	* Applications in the '''production of special materials'''. Many new materials have interesting properties but require high initial energy input (one example is the [[Carbonized_Chicken_Feathers\|carbonization of chicken feathers]]). This can in part or completely be provided by CSP.		* Applications in the '''production of special materials'''. Many new materials have interesting properties but require high initial energy input (one example is the [[Carbonized_Chicken_Feathers\|carbonization of chicken feathers]]). This can in part or completely be provided by CSP.

	*Molding plastic parts using concentrated heat from multiple heliostats. The heliostat beam is targeted onto a rotational mold which is coated with solar absorptive paint. The technology was developed by [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com LightManufacturing]. Final part cost is reduced between 10% and 30% depending on local energy, labor, and material costs.		*Molding plastic parts using concentrated heat from multiple heliostats. The heliostat beam is targeted onto a rotational mold which is coated with solar absorptive paint. The technology was developed by [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com LightManufacturing]. Final part cost is reduced between 10% and 30% depending on local energy, labor, and material costs.


	== Headline text ==		== Headline text ==

Elifarley: Text replace - "\[http:\/\/openfarmtech\.org\/wiki\/([^] |?])[ |]([^]])\]" to "$2"

2013-07-02T21:56:37Z

Text replace - "\[http:\/\/openfarmtech\.org\/wiki\/([^] |?]*)[ |]([^]]*)\]" to "$2"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 2 July 2013
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	* [[solar Combined Heat Power System\| combined heat and power (CHP)]] system		* [[solar Combined Heat Power System\| combined heat and power (CHP)]] system

	* '''lighting''' and space '''heating''' for buildings (provides additional degrees of architectural freedom, e.g. house doesn't have to have large south facing windows, can have smaller windows if there are heliostats funneling in sunlight and heat; could improve [~~http://openfarmtech.org/wiki/~~Underground_Housing underground housing] and [http://earthship.com/ Earthships])		* '''lighting''' and space '''heating''' for buildings (provides additional degrees of architectural freedom, e.g. house doesn't have to have large south facing windows, can have smaller windows if there are heliostats funneling in sunlight and heat; could improve [[Underground_Housing\|underground housing]] and [http://earthship.com/ Earthships])

	* improved solar '''cooking''', '''canning''' and '''baking'''. Also solar '''food drying''': more heat = faster drying - very important if you don't want your fruits and vegetables to rot in the dryer. Allows for much greater volumes to be processed. Build a "heat bank" (of CEBs, metal, concrete, water etc.) to dry food even on cloudy days. No heliostat, no heat bank !		* improved solar '''cooking''', '''canning''' and '''baking'''. Also solar '''food drying''': more heat = faster drying - very important if you don't want your fruits and vegetables to rot in the dryer. Allows for much greater volumes to be processed. Build a "heat bank" (of CEBs, metal, concrete, water etc.) to dry food even on cloudy days. No heliostat, no heat bank !

Ronjaymar at 03:36, 31 July 2012

2012-07-31T03:36:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:36, 31 July 2012
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	* Applications in the '''production of special materials'''. Many new materials have interesting properties but require high initial energy input (one example is the [[Carbonized_Chicken_Feathers\|carbonization of chicken feathers]]). This can in part or completely be provided by CSP.		* Applications in the '''production of special materials'''. Many new materials have interesting properties but require high initial energy input (one example is the [[Carbonized_Chicken_Feathers\|carbonization of chicken feathers]]). This can in part or completely be provided by CSP.

	*~~"molding~~ plastic parts using concentrated heat from multiple heliostats. The heliostat beam is targeted onto a rotational mold which is coated with solar absorptive paint. The technology was developed by [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com LightManufacturing]. Final part cost is reduced between 10% and 30% depending on local energy, labor, and material costs."		*Molding plastic parts using concentrated heat from multiple heliostats. The heliostat beam is targeted onto a rotational mold which is coated with solar absorptive paint. The technology was developed by [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com LightManufacturing]. Final part cost is reduced between 10% and 30% depending on local energy, labor, and material costs.


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	* [http://www.practicalsolar.com/products.html Practical Solar Heliostat System]		* [http://www.practicalsolar.com/products.html Practical Solar Heliostat System]
	* [http://www.treehugger.com/solar-technology/mirrored-sunflower-redirects-sunshine-where-you-need-it.html SunFlower Home Heliostat]		* [http://www.treehugger.com/solar-technology/mirrored-sunflower-redirects-sunshine-where-you-need-it.html SunFlower Home Heliostat]
	* [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com ~~Light~~ Manufacturing]		* [http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com LightManufacturing Heliostats and Solar Manufacturing Systems]

Heliostat - Revision history

Eric: Added some more links under the "See Also" section

Eric: Moved some stuff around

Eric: Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

Eric: Added some more details + sections

Eric: Cleaned Page Up a Bit (To better format standards etc)

Maltfield at 11:07, 24 April 2019

Rasmus: /* Various applications and product ecology */

Rasmus: /* Various applications and product ecology */ fixed broken link

Elifarley: Text replace - "\[http:\/\/openfarmtech\.org\/wiki\/([^] |?]*)[ |]([^]]*)\]" to "$2"

Ronjaymar at 03:36, 31 July 2012

Elifarley: Text replace - "\[http:\/\/openfarmtech\.org\/wiki\/([^] |?])[ |]([^]])\]" to "$2"