Glasshouse-Enclosed Solar Concentrators for Lower Wind Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated solar power systems face high costs due to the need for robust mirror systems that can withstand environmental factors like wind and weather, which increases the weight and complexity of the structure, making it costly to construct and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The use of a protective glasshouse or greenhouse structure that encloses the solar energy collection elements, allowing for lighter and less robust mirrors, supported by a minimal structural skeleton, which reduces wind forces and enables simpler tracking mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robust mirror systems are used to withstand wind and weather, then reliability is improved, but weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the structure into two functional segments: a robust glasshouse enclosure that handles environmental loads (wind, weather), and lightweight internal mirror/receiver components that only need to withstand operational forces. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The glasshouse structure acts as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment and the internal solar concentration system. It shields the mirrors and receivers from direct exposure to wind and weather, allowing these components to be lightweight while still ensuring system durability through the protective enclosure.
2Reliability
If robust mirror systems are used to withstand wind and weather, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the structure into two functional segments: a robust glasshouse enclosure that handles environmental loads (wind, weather), and lightweight internal mirror/receiver components that only need to withstand operational forces. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The glasshouse structure acts as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment and the internal solar concentration system. It shields the mirrors and receivers from direct exposure to wind and weather, allowing these components to be lightweight while still ensuring system durability through the protective enclosure.
3Ease of manufacture
If lightweight concentrators and receivers are used, then ease of manufacture and transportation is improved, but ability to withstand environmental factors worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The glasshouse structure acts as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment and the internal solar concentration system. It shields the mirrors and receivers from direct exposure to wind and weather, allowing these components to be lightweight while still ensuring system durability through the protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses lightweight, potentially less expensive mirror and receiver components that are protected by the durable glasshouse structure. The internal components can be simpler and more easily replaced if needed, while the protective enclosure provides long-term environmental resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the use of lightweight, less expensive concentrators and receivers, with a total weight of less than 20 kg per square meter, while maintaining efficient solar energy collection and reducing the need for extensive structural support, thus lowering production, transportation, and installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
The glasshouse reduces wind forces acting on the collector and receiver elements
Implementation Method 2
parabolic trough solar concentrators...that focus sunlight onto a solar receiver
Implementation Method 3
The reflector has a 1-dimensional curvature to focus sunlight onto a line-focus receiver
Implementation Method 4
receivers that convert incoming solar energy to another form, such as heat or electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A protective transparent enclosure, such as a greenhouse, encloses a concentrated solar power system having line-focus solar energy concentrators. The line-focus solar energy concentrators have a reflective front layer, a core layer, and a rear layer. The core and the rear layers, when bonded with the reflective front layer, enable the line-focus solar energy concentrator, in some embodiments, to retain a particular form without additional strengthening elements. In some embodiments, the core layer and/or the rear layer are formed by removing material from a single piece of material.