Aplanatic beam-down solar towers

Jeffrey M. Gordon; Daniel Feuermann

doi:10.1117/12.2525231

9 September 2019 Aplanatic beam-down solar towers

Jeffrey M. Gordon, Daniel Feuermann

Proceedings Volume 11120, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XVI; 111200E (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2525231
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2019, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The pragmatic virtues of ground-level receivers in solar towers have long been recognized, but the associated beam-down optics reduce concentration, resulting in higher heat loss and cost, or the need for an actively-cooled tertiary concentrator that incurs additional optical losses. Here, we describe the concept of an aplanatic beam-down solar tower, where concentration can be increased without the need for a tertiary concentrator, while retaining a ground-level receiver. The basis for satisfying aplanatism constitutes tailoring the contour of a stationary secondary mirror atop the tower with a distinct heliostat tracking strategy. Conflating the aplanatic solar tower with the option of multiple towers, where a heliostat can be aimed at different targets depending on solar geometry, can markedly reduce shading, blocking and cosine losses. Also, a system of many mini-towers each of which is only a few meters in height could enable systems that are more modular, efficient and easily-maintained.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jeffrey M. Gordon and Daniel Feuermann "Aplanatic beam-down solar towers", Proc. SPIE 11120, Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XVI, 111200E (9 September 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2525231

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available