Heliostat and method for shaping thereof

Abstract

A solar energy system and a heliostat for use in such a system is disclosed. The solar energy system may include one or more heliostats in a heliostat field. Each heliostat may include a reflective disc-shaped mirror, which may be initially generally planar, and a shaping apparatus extending around an outer periphery of the mirror. The shaping apparatus may be configured to apply a bending moment along the outer periphery of the mirror, so as to hold the mirror in a desired concave shape. The disclosure extends to a method of shaping a heliostat facet from a generally planar shape to a concave shape and using bending moments applied around an outer periphery of the mirror to focus light reflecting of the mirror.

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