7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

1/19

A Low Cost Solar Concentrator

A simple solar concentrator for the developing world

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

2/19

Rationale

2 billion people without electricity 40% CO2 from electrical power plants

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

3/19

Economics of Solar Energy

$100/square Meter annually $12 dollars/square Meter average $500 capital cost to get the $12 2.5% ROI

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

4/19

Economics of Solar Energy

Lots of energy available..Too expensive to utilize $50,000/acre at 12% conversion Average house needs 20 square meters. Cost was the rock on which, thus far all sun

power propositions were wrecked

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

5/19

Advantages Of Concentration

Cheaper cost for large systems

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

6/19

Disadvantages of Concentration

Requires clear days Very hot Requires tracking/extra complication

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

7/19

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

8/19

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

9/19

5:1 PV Concentrator Example

Original $200/sq-meter

$100/sq-meter

$20/sq-meter

$10/sq-meter

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

1750

2000

2250

2500

Cost for 5 sq-Meter system

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

10/19

Higher Concentration

Thermal or PV Can have similar efficiencies/costs Thermal has added benefit of heat PV is simpler Lower temp thermal very compatible with

geothermal technology Higher temp requires greater

concentration/precision T**4 losses Medium concentration most proven HFC-245 very attractive working fluid

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

11/19

Current Concentrator Technologies

Parabolic Trough Approx $200/sq-m quietly working for 20

years mature technology

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

12/19

Current Concentrator Technologies

Linear Fresnel Approx $100/sq-m

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

13/19

To Compete with Coal

Coal Fuel Costs appx 2 cents/kwh At 20% capital costs, 10% efficiency cost must be

$20/square meter (about the price of carpet)

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

14/19

Stretched Membrane Concentrator

Low cost reflectormaterial ($1-10/sq-meter)

Support structure veryminimal

lightweight reflectorseasy to move

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

15/19

Water-Float Tracking Mechanism

Ganged Reflectorscommon rate- different

phase

Easy to fix/diagnoseproblems

Possible to control1000's of panels with 1

pump

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

16/19

Prototype

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

17/19

Prototype

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

18/19

Prototype

Reflector cost with tracking $7.50/sq-meter (realhome-depot prices)

Mass production can reduce this

Very hot! No one wants to stay on the ladder verylong

Need more testing/funding/pilot project

7/30/2019 Low Cost Solar Concentrator

19/19

Questions?