Solar Concentrator/Research Development

Overview

Research pertaining to the Solar Concentrator.

Links to DIY Projects

• Fresnel Type, circular from the Ukraine - [1]

Research

• Category:Solar Power
• Category:Solar Turbine

• Google.org
• Wikipedia: Maximum Power Point Tracking
• build it solar projects
• Arduino Heliostat / solar tracking

http://openframeworks.cc could have some useful code and application to this. It would probably only use one of these systems displayed. Also generally an amazing resource for realtime 3d, robotics, arduino control.

• Solar Furnace
• non-imaging optics
• Desert Bloom fresnel lens collectors

Open Source Ecology driven projects

In France, We proceeded using the iterated method product development lifecycle, defining the functional requirements, building table models, building the actual project. We started with a proof of concept developped in August 2015 during POC21 event in France, it was named Solar-OSE We are moving toward the first "alpha" version, not yet optimized in terms of costs, method of build and quality but full size, named Alpha-Sole it will be built in Autumn 2016. We will then develop the third and final version of this machine that will be fully optimized, yet to be named and conceptualized based on the findings over Alpha Sole and Solar Ose.

Demonstrator SolarOSE (proof of concept of 1KW peak power) : completed

the Functional requirements
Full builduing guide Open Hardware on Wikifab.org
Full builduing guide Open Hardware on instructables
Complementary to this manual, you can find online more information on:

   Software, Electronics, Modelling (once finalized), documentation, licence details: see Github
   discussions on our Forum
   the documentation and collaborative writing in French on our Wiki
   functional requirements giving a comparison between the present demonstrator and the next prototype
   the project in French:
   you can subscribe to our newsletter and more on our website: osefrance :)

Planning

  August 2016: Design, final Functional requirements
  September 2016: BOM + Models
  Octobre/Novembre 2016: Workshop
  December-March 2017: Testing 
  March 2017 : on production

Gantt chart (need ganttproject)

Functional requirements of Alphasole Prototype

English version  here 
 French version  here 
 Spanish version here 

Design requirements

Within the scope of collaborative research, we work on the requirements of each element developped thereafter in the following sections. The discussion history between contributors is available through the links to the forum (in French):

 * Structure forum [2] ,
 * Concentrator optic forum [3] ,
 * Engines, Program, Captors forum [4] ,
 * Absorber forum [5] .

General

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Reduce risks	Pay attention to parasitic reflexions	* optical risks ; * risks related to high pressure and high temperature hydraulic circuit
Cost (material, production, manufacturing, assembling)	Minimum	Minimum: <300€/m²	Savings possible with respect to demonstrator but not yet optimized

Concentrator optic

[forum]

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Optical efficiency	Reflectivity (at normal angle) 0.9	60-70%	To finetune: relevant/optimized geometry, cf cf [[6]] ; reflectivity of mirrors >= 0.9 ; other parameters : fouling, cleaning frequency, evolution through lifetime
Robustness and lifetime	no requirement	3 to 5 years	To be studied : * time? * warranty? * what efficiency loss? * renewal point, maintenance frequency. * economic balance? * also to be written in other sections : structure, optic. *to define: expensive elements, frame elements last longer: 20 years or more
Accesibility for cleaning and maintenance	no requirement	yes	*easy cleaning of the mirrors; *maintenance and tuning of the facets once mounted; *access to receptor once mounted
Thermal efficiency of the receptor	secondary concentration on the receptor > 1.5	70-80% efficiency as a goal
Total concentration factor	between 15 and 30	between 15 and 30	With 20 mirrors, it reaches about 15
Secondary reflector (CPC) : design coordinated with absorber	60%	yes

Structure

[forum]

Frame of mirrors set and receptor

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Independant structure: mirror, receptor	yes	No	Fixed relative position, to be set in accordance with latitude
Resistance to ambiant environment	yes, punctually	yes, permanently	wind speed, hail, rain, snow, dust
Sufficient stiffness against vibrations and deformation	yes	yes
Ground fixing	Adjustable feet	Fixed	Concrete base to be planned or fixation to an existing structure, roof... Study carefully stiffness, stability...
Assembling easiness	yes	yes	kit possible
Transport easiness	yes	no
Welding	the least possible	Ok	No requirement initially, compromise between : building complexity and assembling easiness
Limitation of accident risks	yes	yes	at all stages : manufacturing, assembling

Structure of mirrors facets

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Fresnel mirror: area	defined by the power need (5KW )
Mirror deformation limitation	deflection lower than 5 mm / 0.1° facet orientation, respectively 1cm on the receptor	(a priori) depends on receptor height, valid for 1.5m height
Sun tracking (east west)	>120° respectively 8h tracking	12h tracking	respective rotation of 90° in 12h
Bad weather protection	yes	yes	for instance: 180° range (mirrors down)
Optical alignment possible through a tuning needless of special tools	yes	yes	Better: procedure to be updated for calibration
Easy switching of mirror facets	yes	yes	more generally: easy maintenance

6) tracking system (engines, program, sensors)

[forum]

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Real time accurate tracking of the sun motion	yes	yes	Plan a failsoft mode in case of a failure of the tracking system
Motorisation of mirrors	yes	yes
Electricity consumption	-	Minimum achievable	Plan an autonomous working mode (no connection to electical grid)? (photovoltaic pannel?)
Number of engines	Minimum	One per module or one for all the system	To be validated regarding the other technical choices (structure)
Sun tracking to get the right angle	yes	yes, with necessary accuracy	Goal: send all the beams of each mirror on the width of the recptor (CPC width)
Sensors (weather condition detection)	-	yes	* ambiant temperature, direct sun radiation. (as a complement of process sensors (boiler and use))
Fluid temperature and pressure measurements	yes	drive the circulating pump controlled by pressure and/or temperature (according to use). Steam flow rate sensor? Liquid water level sensor? => depends on type of use
System automatic shutdown	Optional	Safety in case of electrical outage (circulating pump stopped => temperature increase) + in case of a storm (mirrors down (if possible)). (Resistance to hail?)
Simple controlling panel	yes	Programming expert mode when needed, but simple to use	ideas: remote access ? consultation des informations de fonctionnement (et historique ?)To be scheduled

7) Receiver unit (absorber)

[forum]

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Specific design for the working fluid, natural or forced circulation	100%	yes
Selective material: High absorption qualities through all the solar spectrum : 100% , Absorbance 90%, infrared emissivity 15% : material intrinsically absorbant (or absorptive coating)	= high absorbance through all the solar spectrum and low infrared emissivity
High thermal exchange between absorber and fluid	60%	yes	material and conduction-convection in the fluid
The system should be thermally insulated (with respect to ambiant air, infrared radiation)	60%	yes	see requirement for the overall thermal efficiency (insulation material above and glass below)
Good resistance to temperature variation (material expansion, tightness)	60%	yes	In particular, risks related to high temperatures and pressure of fluid

Ideas:

• modularity is hardly compatible with the high constraints of the absorber (pressure, temperature variation etc.)
• In case of frost, the absorber should be emptied (or the frost might destroy it). =>Ambiant temperature sensor + electric valve? =>design of the absorber enabling the complete emtying.

Usage

Requirements to be better defined with user

Functioning

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Position: avoid building shadow and other masks	-	?
Running range	-	?	*for a sun exposure not in first hour nor in last hour, *for which hour range in the day, in the season, * for which latitude
Temperature level	-	?	Optic and best technology may be different with respect to temperature. Example: *Hot water production at 80°C; *Steam production at 130°C from liquid water; *Steam Superheating from 150°C to 250°C

Hydraulic circuit

Requirement	Demonstrator	Prototype	Comments for protototype
Pressure losses	-	Minimum	Limit pressure losses, above all for light fluids : air, steam
Open/closed circuit	-	?
Mineral scale risks	-	?	Gives good reason to run in a closed circuit...
Fluid	-	?

Ideas: Could we have a feedback from the user? Which power (mini, maxi average) does he need? During how many hours? And for which season. At my parents', lavander distillery: July. Canned food and Jam from June to september.

See Also

• Solar to Electrical
• Solar Thermal Electrical Generation
• Parabolic Trough Prototype
• Other Solar Thermal Companies
• Solar Collector Calculations
• Linear Fresnel Solar Concentrator

The Global Village Construction Set
Habitat	CEB Press	Cement Mixer	Sawmill	Bulldozer	Backhoe
Agriculture	Tractor	Seeder	Hay Rake	Well-Drilling Rig
	Microtractor	Soil Pulverizer	Spader	Hay Cutter	Trencher
	Bakery Oven	Dairy Milker	Microcombine	Baler
Industry	Multimachine	Ironworker	Laser Cutter	Welder	Plasma Cutter
	CNC Torch Table	Metal Roller	Rod and Wire Mill	Press Forge	Universal Rotor
	3D Printer	3D Scanner	CNC Circuit Mill	Industrial Robot	Chipper Hammermill
	Drill Press	Induction Furnace
Energy	Power Cube	Gasifier Burner	Solar Concentrator	Electric Motor Generator	Hydraulic Motor
	Steam Engine	Heat Exchanger	Wind Turbine	Pelletizer	Universal Power Supply
	Nickel-Iron Battery
Materials	Aluminum Extractor	Bioplastic Extruder
Transportation	Car	Truck
Key	Design	Planning	Prototype	Almost done	Full Release