Optical and Thermal Characterization of Solar Receivers for Parabolic Trough Collectors
Abstract
Concentrating Solar Power Technology (CSP) is nowadays growing mainly due to the technical and economic success of the first projects and to the stable green pricing or support mechanisms that bridges the initial gap in electricity costs (i.e. feed-in tariffs). Future growth will depend on a successful cost reduction and on a strong effort in R&D to optimize the potential for technical improvement [1]. Testing of new materials, components and systems is still of key importance to drive research and innovation improvements to a commercial stage. Parabolic Trough Receiver (PTR) manufacturers are investing in R&D in order to improve performances and reduce costs, while project developers are demanding standards to help them to evaluate satisfactorily the risks and the benefits of introducing new developments in commercial power plants. The Solar Thermal Energy Department of the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) and the Photonic Technologies Group of Zaragoza University (UZ) have joined efforts to develop a characterization equipment able to measure as far as possible most of the receiver optical and thermal properties. In this paper the testing facility developed by CENER-UZ is described. The methodology for optical and thermal characterization of solar receivers for parabolic trough collectors is outlined and the first functional validation results are presented.