Solar thermal energy

International Automated Systems

"IAUS's new solar technology is the first to offer the possibility of competing head-to-head with fossil fuels for both electricity and gasoline production. It costs less now than the World Government's goal for solar power cost per kilowatt by the year 2020.

IAUS's unique thin-film lens focuses the sun's energy, producing super-heated steam for power generation. IAUS's panels are inexpensive, efficient, and require virtually no maintenance. Typical solar reflector panels ( e.g. solar dishes, troughs, heliostats) are very expensive and require a great deal of maintenance to sustain a solar focal point. Once installed, IAUS's lenses need no further adjustment. Other solar technologies, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are also very expensive and require an expensive inverter to convert DC power to AC. They also require expensive batteries for power storage. Unlike PV systems, IAUS's product does not need an expensive inverter or battery storage. It operates on heat and produces heat as a byproduct. This energy can be stored using a chemical regeneration process held in a continuous cycle. This chemical, in turn, is then used to create steam when there is no sun. This unique added process costs significantly less than batteries; so much so, that it offers a reasonable answer to 24/7 solar power.Currently, the world's annual energy market is approximately $3 trillion and growing rapidly. It is two times larger than the world's agricultural market and four times larger than the cost of the world's military..." more

"Current solar solutions (both solar thermal and photovoltaic) are well suited to delivering peak power efficiently since peak demand typically correlates with daylight. However, they severely suffer for providing baseload power. On average, solar farms install 8x the capacity needed to meet the average demand. This is in order to ensure power can be provided through the evening and when clouds block the sun. In addition to this increased need for "excess" capacity, a suitable method to store the energy must be implemented. Cost effective, reliable energy storage continues to be a technology challenge for PV markets. Finally, the excess capacity also requires excess land resources.

"Stirling offers the advantage of being indifferent to the source of heat. During the day, it can operate using solar radiation, and during the evening, an alternative fuel source (biomass, natural gas, etc), can be used to produce electricity. This permits much greater effectiveness of capital assets for electricity production. For base-load power production, Stirling is 23% less expensive than photovoltaics.

Additionally, Stirling is more efficient in converting solar energy to electricity. Stirling engines are proven to be in excess of 38% efficient, and even in systems designed for lower-cost rather than peak performance, 25% is easily obtainable. Comparatively, commercial PV panels are 14-18% efficient.

While Stirling can be competitive in large, utility-scale fields of use, it is uniquely advantaged in smaller, distributed locations. Solar-thermal using conventional steam turbines are an equally effective mechanism for large scale production. However, steam turbines do not scale down well in terms of cost and efficiency. Further, smaller distributed fields of use can generally not support the operating requirements of super-critical boilers. Stirling scales down well, and in fact has a "sweet spot" below 10kw. For larger installations, multiple Stirling engines can be ganged together to achieve power requirements, and at the same time provide partial redundancy in the event of any single-point failure..." more

"STG (previously operating as the Solar Turbine Group) is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts whose mission is to provide technical, financial and intellectual support, assistance, and training to projects and organizations focused on bringing sustainable energy technologies to communities across the developing world.

Our technology has three main components: the parabolic troughs, the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) engine, and the electrical control system

Four parabolic troughs form an array of solar collectors. Each parabolic trough focuses incoming sunlight onto a pipe located at the trough's focal point. The pipes are linked together to form a continuous loop through which a thermal absorption fluid (like glycol, the anti-freeze fluid used in automotive radiators) circulates. As the thermal fluid is pumped through this array, it is heated by the sun's rays which are striking the pipe, reaching up to 150 degrees C by the time it has circulated through all four troughs. The thermal fluid then passes through a heat exchanger where it transfers its heat to the working fluid (a refrigerant like those used in refrigerators or air conditioner units) of the ORC. The thermal fluid exits the heat exchanger at a much cooler temperature (around 100 degrees C), ready to start another circuit through the troughs to absorb more of the sun's energy. These concentrators are constructed mainly using steel, copper piping, and aluminum reflective sheeting. Assembly is straight-forward, requiring welding, pipe joining, and simple fabrication and carpentry capabilities..." more

SRI is a New Mexico company located in Santa Fe that is focused on aquisition, exploration and development of state of the art technology for solar energy and desalinization projects ranging from small private reverse osmosis units to large municipal/government desalinization sites.

The Suncone Solar Power Generator
A new concentrating solar power (CSP) system called "Suncone" provides an economical method of collecting solar thermal energy for the production of electricity. Suncone can operate at higher temperatures and higher efficiencies than parabolic trough solar collectors and is less expensive than troughs or parabolic dish concentrators. Like the parabolic dish, it must be pointed toward the sun but requires less sun-tracking precision than a parabolic dish or parabolic trough. Suncone is less prone hail damage than troughs or dishes. Extensive patent searches have been made and a patent application has been filed... more

The Kinetic Water Pump
There is need for efficient and simple high-pressure solar-powered pumps that impel seawater or brackish water into reverse osmosis (RO) systems to produce fresh water. Solar dish or trough collectors can produce steam to drive a turbine that drives a high-pressure seawater pump. For systems operating from a single dish, small steam turbines typically have efficiencies of 25% or less. With the turbine connected to a gearbox and the pump, which have efficiencies of about 85% each, the overall efficiency of the system is about 18%... more

"Ausra designs, manufactures, installs, and operates solar thermal energy systems for customers around the world. Amid growing public demand for clean energy, our next-generation solar thermal energy systems provide reliable, scalable, and cost-competitive renewable energy solutions for both power and industrial steam customers.

Our solar thermal energy technology is the most land-efficient in operation, is easily manufactured and installed, and serves as a hedge against volatile fuel price fluctuations and emissions regulation costs. It is part of our customers' integrated sustainability strategy for fuel and carbon market risk reduction-at competitive prices.

Ausra is the first solar steam power boiler manufacturer to receive the American Society of Mechanical Engineer's (ASME) "S" Stamp Certificate of Authorization. An ASME "S" Stamp is considered the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification. It is recognized in more than 100 countries as a means of meeting government safety regulations. .. " more

" Absolicon X10 A new era in solar energy has been initiated through the launch of Absolicon X10. The revolutionary idea behind our product is with a cost effective and unique design concentrate the sunlight in order to produce electricity and heat simultaneous. The technology that Absolicon has developed combining photovoltaic cells and a solar collector is called Double Solar Technology and is the result of many years of research and testing.

With the X10 you only need one solar system in order to produce electricity and heat. Thereby X10 optimizes the use of the space on for example roof tops where the module can be installed, at the same time we dramatically reduce installation costs as less cable and piping is required. In addition to this the X10 includes a solar tracking and control system (PLC) device with electrical custom-designed high quality linear actuators which automatically turns the X10 against the sun, and with the help of built-in temperature sensors it ensures that the solar system never will be overheated.

The X10 construction is optimized for installations larger than 20m2. The X10 is offered in four different lengths; 6, 10, 14 and 18 meters. These different lengths can be linked together in series for installations without any surface restrictions, i.e. everything between 20m2 - 100 000 m2 are possible installations with the X10. Our products are very well applied where the properties have a high consumption of hot water like for example hotels, hospitals, industries, sport-centers, airports and apartment-complexes" more

"The ZenithSolar optical dish is based on a patented design, utilizing multiple simple flat mirrors mounted on a plastic surface. The molded plastic surface, divided into four quadrants, is fixed onto a rigid, high precision metal frame assembled onto an azimuth - elevation solar tracking system.

The concentrated solar radiation is reflected from each individual mirror onto an array of solar cells. ZenithSolar uses field proven high efficiency multi-junction III-V solar cells.

In conventional CPV systems, the excess heat generated in the solar cell needs to be removed to avoid damaging the cell and to maintain high efficiency of electricity conversion. ZenithSolar utilizes the heat generated at the solar cell receiver to provide usable hot water heating, improving overall solar power conversion efficiency to 75%" more

"Sierra SunTower supplies 5 MW of clean, renewable energy to the grid. The full-scale power plant, the only commercial CSP tower in the United States, supplies electricity to Southern California Edison (SCE) and will power up to 4,000 homes.

Power Tower Technology
A field of sun-tracking heliostats reflects solar heat to a thermal receiver mounted atop a central power tower. The focused heat boils water within the thermal receiver and produces steam. The plant pipes the steam from each thermal receiver and aggregates it at the turbine, powering a power generator. The steam then reverts back to water through cooling, and the process repeats..." more

"The Infinia Solar System is a very high performance, mass-produced solar power generation system that harnesses the power of the Stirling engine

Infinia’s (patent pending) Solar System relies on a Free-Piston Stirling Engine (FPSE) to convert concentrated solar heat to electricity. Infinia FPSEs convert thermal energy from external energy sources to linear motion which drives an integral linear alternator, thus generating clean, reliable electricity. The ISS integrates a Stirling engine (Heat Drive), a parabolic dish solar Reflector, a Bi-axial Drive mounted on a Chassis, and Power Electronics and Control Systems.

The Bi-axial Drive points the system at the sun and tracks the sun throughout the day to concentrate sunlight off the mirrored face of the parabolic dish into the Heat Drive. This concentrated thermal energy is converted to linear motion and drives the power piston of a linear alternator. AC electrical output of the alternator is rectified to DC by the power electronics and automatically inverted to match the AC voltage and frequency of the connected grid..." more

"SolarReserve was formed to solve two of the fundamental barriers of renewable energy: scalability and storage. Unlike hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy technologies that use limited renewable fuel sources, SolarReserve's power plants draw their heat from the sun - earth's ultimate source of clean energy. And unlike wind and photovoltaics, SolarReserve's power plants can deliver power whenever it is needed, either 24 hours per day or only during "peak" demand. By overcoming these two key barriers, SolarReserve enables utility-scale, clean, renewable electricity generation."

"SolarReserve will build power plants designed as Solar Power Towers. This configuration captures and focuses the sun's thermal energy with thousands of tracking mirrors (called heliostats) in a two square mile field. A tower resides in the center of the heliostat field. The heliostats focus concentrated sunlight on a receiver which sits on top of the tower. Within the receiver, the concentrated sunlight heats molten salt to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The heated molten salt then flows into a thermal storage tank where it is stored, maintaining 98% thermal efficiency, and eventually pumped to a steam generator. The steam drives a standard turbine to generate electricity. This process, also known as the "Rankine cycle" is similar to a standard coal-fired power plant, except it is fueled by clean and free solar energy. Other than the few unique components noted below, SolarReserve's power plants are comprised of available materials, such as mirrors, and established technologies, such as steam generators and turbines. This will enable SolarReserve to provide electricity at or below prices from traditional sources such as coal or natural gas...more

"Flagsol GmbH, head quartered in Cologne, Germany, is a subsidiary of the Solar Millennium AG, one of the most innovative developer of solar thermal power plants worldwide. In 2002 Flagsol GmbH received the entire solar thermal knowhow of Flabeg Solar International GmbH that has been one of the key know how carriers of parabolic trough technology since 1986. Flagsol counts on a staff of more than 65 highly specialised and internationally experienced engineers, computer scientists and economists.

In order to improve performance, cost and reliability of Parabolic Solar Thermal Power Plants in 2003 Flagsol has optimized and qualified an entire loop of SKAL-ET collectors at the Kramer Junction SEGS plants in California. With this technology and knowledge in hands, Flagsol offers turnkey supply, detailed engineering or licensing of the advanced SKAL-ET technology. Currently Flagsol develops a new collector generation, called the Heliotrough collector. With this new collector type which will be available on the market in early 2010 the specific collector costs will be reduced further.

Flagsol has designed and engineered the solar field and HTF system for the Solar Thermal Power Plants Andasol 1-3 with solar field of 510,120 m² each equipped with SKAL-ET collectors and 7.5 hours of molten salt energy storages. In addition Flagsol takes the responsibility for the erection and commissioning supervision of the Andasol solar fields..." more

"BrightSource Energy, Inc. develops, builds, owns, and operates large scale solar plants that reliably deliver low-cost solar energy to industrial and utility companies worldwide.


BrightSource Energy's mission is to make solar energy cost competitive with fossil fuels by developing, building, owning and operating the world's most cost-effective and reliable large-scale solar energy projects.

Delivering on solar's promise
BrightSource Energy, Inc. provides clean, reliable and low cost solar energy for util­ity and industrial companies worldwide. The BrightSource team combines nearly three decades of experience designing, building, and operating the world's larg-est solar energy plants with world-class project development capabilities. Bright­Source's solar plants lead the industry in environmental design and help customers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Headquartered in Oakland, Calif., BrightSource Energy is a privately held company with operations in the United States, Israel and Australia..." more

"Sopogy is a leader in MicroCSP technologies that bring the economics of proven large scale Concentrating Solar Power systems (CSP) to the distributed generation markets. MicroCSP technologies are used to create Process Heat, Solar Air Conditioning or Electrical Power. For more information on the technology visit the How It Works page.

"Originally founded in 2002 at the Energy Laboratories an energy concept incubator of Energy Industries, Sopogy is focused at bringing a new renewable energy technology to the market. The future is clean power, green systems and LEED™ smart buildings. The Sopogy energy system is enabling the solar energy revolution and for our customers "every day is a Sopogy day™".

Sopogy is dedicated to helping our customers achieve their renewable energy goals. Using our solar energy systems to produce electricity, process heat or solar A/C we maximize energy production while minimizing costs.

Sopogy's mission is to invent, manufacture and sell the world's most innovative and affordable solar collectors. Our company strives to become part of the solution to global problems including climate change, energy security and sustainability.

Our Goals:

• Establish a global solar energy brand.
• Make solar energy competitive to fossil fuel energy worldwide.
  
• Achieve entrepreneurial success.
• Create solar solutions that improve the quality of life for all human kind.
• Bring order and simplicity to the chaos which is the current solar power business." more

"Concerning solar power, photovoltaics is not the only available option. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology provides for electricity generation as well, above all for large-scale applications. Amongst the various CSP processes, solar power plants with parabolic trough technology have proven their practical value for more than 20 years. SCHOTT Solar is one of the world's leading suppliers of a key component for this technology - the receiver.

"CSP technology converts sunlight to heat through parabolic trough power plants: using large rows of parabolic-shaped mirrors, the sun's radiation is concentrated up to 80-fold on the receivers. Heat transfer oil is heated here, and, via a heat exchanger, steam emerges that in turn drives traditional steam turbines. Thermal accumulators enable reliable generation of electricity, even at night.

In contrast to photovoltaic systems that are generally used for decentralised usage, Concentrated Solar Power plants are ideal for the central generation of energy. Such power plants can be run especially well within the earth's sun belt - it would be possible to produce Europe's electricity consumption several times over by using CSP only within the states of the Mediterranean region. As a further advantage, Concentrated Solar Power plants can be combined with fossil energy sources or biomass. Therefore, it is possible to realize a safe energy supply with a high solar content..." more

"Solar Millennium's vision, since the founding of the company, has been to enable energy conversion through the construction of solar thermal power plants. Solar Millennium is already putting this vision into practice: the development of the first European parabolic trough power plants has been underway in southern Spain since 2006.

Technological excellence, an intelligent business model and cooperation with reputable companies along the value-added chain for solar thermal power plants have been the building blocks of our success. Due to our early entry into the market and successful pioneering activities, Solar Millennium is very well positioned within the market and is the technology leader in parabolic trough power plants.

Solar thermal power plants use the heat from converted solar radiation to generate electricity. Like solar panels, they initially capture heat energy through the absorption of solar radiation and like photovoltaic cells, they generate electricity from sunlight. In short: they represent the most efficient means of utilizing solar energy.

The potential for solar thermal electricity generation that is technically achievable is several times greater than the worldwide electricity consumption. In contrast to photovoltaics, which are effective for low-power decentralized systems, solar thermal power plants generate electricity on a large scale - between 50 and 250 megawatts. With the integration of thermal storage, this power can then be supplied on demand, thus enabling solar power plants to generate electricity even after sunset. Solar thermal power plants therefore have the potential to replace fossil fuel power plants..." more

Abengoa Solar is a leader in solar tower technology, operating both PS10 and PS20 (Solucar Complex, Seville, Spain). Currently, Abengoa Solar is dedicating its efforts to a second generation tower, which is even more efficient because it reaches higher temperatures.

The solar power tower technology involves capturing solar radiation using a set of dual-axis mirrors (heliostats) that track the sun, and concentrate the reflect sunlight onto the receivers or receivers located on the top of the tower.

Thermal storage can be combined with tower technology to give a high degree of dispatchability.

Abengoa Solar has a proprietary technology that is available to third parties, and for use in its own plants. In solar tower technology, component design is one of the main keys to success, and in this case, it's the heliostats. These heliostats are put together in each plant's assembly area. In 2010, development began on new heliostats with technical and economical improvements. The heliostat structures may be acquired individually or together with the mirrors already mounted.

Abengoa Solar currently has three 50-megawatt (MW) parabolic trough plants in commercial operation in Spain, and an additional 930 MW under construction around the world.

In a parabolic trough plant, a set of parabolic-shaped mirrors is set on a structure so they can track the movement of the sun and concentrate solar radiation onto a receiving tube. Inside the tube, a heat-absorbing fluid flows and reaches high temperatures. This fluid transfers the thermal energy into steam that is driven by a turbine to generate electricity.

Parabolic trough technology is a mature commercial technology, backed by 20 years of proven operational experience (SEGS plants, U.S.).

An important feature of this technology is the ability to integrate a thermal storage system to allow the power to be dispatched, thus continuing plant operation under cloud cover or at night.

Abengoa Solar has extensive expertise in parabolic trough technology through R&D work, as well as the construction and start-up of several plants that use this technology. With its TES pilot plant, Abengoa Solar has also gained experience in thermal storage systems that will be demonstrated for the first time in the United States with the six hour molten salt thermal storage system at Solana.

Solargenix Energy has five operating division or business units. Experts in the associated technologies and business operations manage each of the divisions.(...)
Solargenix Energy has the right technology and manufacturing partners to revolutionize the solar thermal industry. We are capable of meeting thermal applications up to 750°F (398°C). Solargenix Energy is prepared to design, engineer, construct and operate all proposed projects on a turnkey basis or any combination of these as preferred by the client.

"Because of the high-temperature capability of the Solargenix Energy collection systems, conversion to electricity is particularly effective where utilities are in need of summertime peaking power or in remote locations of the world where no other cost-effective or reliable options exist. Prototype engines in sizes from 5 kW to 1 MW are being tested and in some cases available off the shelf today. Multi-megawatt solar power plants similar to the Kramer Junction Facility in California pictured here, are under design and ready for deployment.

Power Roof^TM System
The Solargenix Energy team has vast experience designing and constructing sustainable buildings as well as with high-temperature tracking solar systems. Now, Solargenix Energy combines that expertise and introduces the Power Roof^TM system. This is a new concept in solar energy collection that has the potential to becomes a major international force in the renewable energy industry's market for large-commercial and industrial buildings. More significantly, because of the system's integrated building approach and energy savings potential, the Power Roof^TM system has become an attractive energy supply option. The Power Roof^TM is a total building system that can provide the buyer with lower energy costs, superior natural daylighting, and a more comfortable workplace. Equally important in today's world, the energy option is environmentally sound and, because of its operating temperature range, can fulfill an important array of end-uses..." more

"Wizard Power Pty Limited was incorporated in 2005 to commercialise the research into concentrating solar thermal technologies originally undertaken by the Australian National University, where research into solar thermal concentrators and thermochemical energy conversion and storage systems began in the early 1970s (see the ANU Solar Thermal Group Website).

Since 2005 Wizard Power has enhanced, extended, replaced, complemented and supplemented these technologies and has developed a best-practice project deployment methodology and tool-set, the Factory-in-the Field. Together, these enable the deployment of utility-scale solar power plants that deliver dispatchable thermal and electrical power.

The innovative nature of the technologies and their commercial potential has been recognised by State and Commonwealth Governments with over $11 million in grant funding to assist with further research, development, commercialisation and demonstration.

Wizard Power is currently building a solar energy storage pilot plant in Whyalla, South Australia. Over time this pilot plant will be expanded to incorporate research, development and demonstration of Wizard Power's thermo and thermochemical energy storage and solar gasification technologies.

The new Whyalla Solar Oasis power plant project was recently granted funding of $60M by the Commonwealth Government.

This project is being developed by the Whyalla SolarOasis Consortium (comprising N.P Power, Sustainable Power Partners and Wizard Power) will deliver a 40MWe concentrating solar thermal power plant in Whyalla, South Australia.

The project will use 300 Big Dish solar thermal concentrators, each 500sqm in area, to generate 66GWh of electricity each year; enough electricity to power 9,500 Australian homes and reduce greenhouse gasses by 60,000 tonnes per annum - equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road each year.

The Project will deliver the first commercial scale concentrating solar thermal plant to dispatch power to the Australian electricity market and will also assist with the commercialisation of Wizard Power's Australian owned and developed Big Dish concentrating solar thermal technologies." ... more

"The goals of the Center for Solar and Thermal Energy Conversion (CSTEC) are to discover, to understand and to exploit processes that occur at the nanoscale, including quantum phenomena, to design and to synthesize new materials for high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) devices."

inorganic PV
"In the inorganic PV thrust, CSTEC develop nanostructured materials architectures for solar energy conversion by engineering absorption and transport properties not available in the bulk. In particular, the Center aim to exploit unique quantum effects at the nanoscale which are promising for the realization of new paradigms in solar energy conversion such as intermediate band or hot carrier solar cells."

Thermoelectric
"The Thermoelectric thrust of CSTEC focuses on fundamental transport processes that govern solid state energy conversion, i.e., how the charge and energy flow through the atomic lattice or an array of assembled molecules. The CSTEC team tackles the challenges of thermoelectricity comprehensively by studying transport phenomena from a multi-dimensional perspective that spans charge and energy transport in molecular junctions, conduction processes in two-dimensional films, and the role the nanostructural features play in bulk nano-composite materials. We have made great strides during the first three years of the existence of CSTEC - we have learned how carriers and energy flow from one electrode to the other through a string of molecules; we have opened the curtain on the issue of carrier dynamics in archetypal thermoelectric films based on Sb2Te3 and we have shown how to fabricate nanowires in Sb2Te3 films using above-bandgap irradiation with linearly polarized femtosecond lasers; we have demonstrated the critical role atomic ordering plays on the filler-sites of skutterudites in order to minimize heat transport; and we have shed light on the variation of the carrier effective mass in GaAs1-xNx. We look to make even more exciting discoveries in the future that address the key issue of thermoelectricity, i.e., how to design a superior thermoelectric material that enables a smooth conduct of electrical charges but blocks the flow of energy." ... more

Solar Thermal Research Hub
"This project is designed to provide the infrastructure for researchers across the country to develop and test new concentrated solar power technologies. It is also designed to attract international investment to enable the commercialisation of Australian concentrated solar power research and development.

One of the objectives of the project is to investigate methods of generating higher temperatures of solar energy. Utilising increased temperatures will enable higher efficiency and lower energy costs. The new facility will help make solar-generated electricity cheaper, more efficient, available when needed and less reliant on other scarce resources such as water.

CSIRO has constructed Australia’s largest solar thermal research hub at the CSIRO National Solar Energy Centre. The hub comprises of a 30 metre high solar tower surrounded by 450 locally manufactured custom designed mirrors (heliostats), capable of generating temperatures of up to 1500°Celsius.

It is designed to be a focal point for Australian and international researchers, allowing Australia’s best concentrated solar power researchers to develop, test and commercialise technologies side by side with industry partners and research institutions around the world.

CSIRO will use the facility to develop and test solar air turbines to generate electricity from air and sunshine alone (almost allcurrent systems require water). This is a very new area of solar research and will provide cost effective and efficient energy solutions to remote arid towns and industry in Australia and the world.

As part of the foundation project, the Australian National University aims to adapt the solar air turbine technology used in the Solar Thermal Research Hub for use on solar parabolic dishes." ... more

Solid State Solar Thermal Energy Conversion (S3TEC)

A novel way to concentrate sun’s heat
"MIT researchers find a way to generate power without the usual mirror arrays. David L. Chandler, MIT News Office

Most technologies for harnessing the sun’s energy capture the light itself, which is turned into electricity using photovoltaic materials. Others use the sun’s thermal energy, usually concentrating the sunlight with mirrors to generate enough heat to boil water and turn a generating turbine. A third, less common approach is to use the sun’s heat — also concentrated by mirrors — to generate electricity directly, using solid-state devices called thermophotovoltaics, which have their roots at MIT dating back to the 1950s.

Now, researchers at MIT have found a way to use thermophotovoltaic devices without mirrors to concentrate the sunlight, potentially making the system much simpler and less expensive." ... more

Solar Thermal Technology
"Solar thermal technology converts radiant solar energy (sunlight) to heat. This heat can then be used to cook in a solar oven, produce power, heat water for domestic or industrial uses, passively or actively heat space, or cool space with an absorptive cooling system.

Solar ovens come in many shapes and sizes. The basic design is a well-insulated box with a transparent cover that allows light to enter. The inside of the box is generally black for maximum absorption of the incoming solar energy. Basic solar ovens of this design can achieve temperatures above 300°F, depending on available sunlight and ambient air temperatures. Some commercially available models can achieve higher temperatures.

Power production through solar thermal technology involves concentration of sunlight with mirrors and/or lenses onto a receiver located at the mirror or lens focal point. At the focal point, energy from the sun is converted to heat, which is transferred to the working fluid (water, molten salt, other). The working fluid is then piped to a steam generator or engine that produces electricity.

Flat plate collectors are a common way to harness solar energy. Flat plate collectors consist of a shallow, well-insulated enclosure with a transparent cover. Inside the enclosure is an absorber plate (usually made of copper or another metal) that converts radiant solar energy into heat. A series of parallel flow tubes is mounted on the absorber plate. Water or another working fluid passes through the flow tubes and absorbs heat generated in the absorber plate. The heated fluid is then used directly (e.g. to heat homes or for domestic hot water) or in parallel with a heat exchanger

Passive solar building design is another very effective solar thermal technology. With proper site assessment, structure orientation, insulation, and window type and placement, homes can absorb much of the sun’s radiant energy. Direct solar gain systems use thermal mass such as water or concrete to store much of the thermal energy that falls onto the structure. A simple direct gain system works as follows. A large south-facing (in the northern hemisphere) window exposes a concrete slab floor to the sun. The slab is strategically placed to maximize exposure to the sun in winter months and minimize exposure in the summer months. Throughout the winter day, the slab absorbs sunlight and stores the energy as heat. After the sun goes down, the floor radiates the heat it has stored into the building. Conversely in summer months, the slab absorbs only heat from the warm air in the structure because it is not directly exposed to the sun, lowering the ambient air temperature. Therefore, these systems can effectively heat in winter and cool in summer." ... more

Solar Facilities for the European Research Area


"Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a very promising renewable source of energy. The best known application so far is bulk electricity generation through thermodynamic cycles, but other applications have also been demonstrated, such as production of hydrogen and solar fuels, water treatment and research in advanced materials.

This EU-funded research project - SFERA - aims to boost scientific collaboration among the leading European research institutions in solar concentrating systems, offering European research and industry access to the best research and test infrastructures and creating a virtual European laboratory. The project incorporates the following activities:
- Transnational Access: Researchers will have access to five state-of-the-art high-flux solar research facilities, unique in Europe and in the world. Access to these facilities will help strengthen the European Research Area by opening installations to European and partner countries' scientists, thereby enhancing cooperation.
- Networking: These include the organisation of training courses and schools' to create a common training framework, providing regularised, unified training of young researchers in the capabilities and operation of concentrating solar facilities. Communication activities will seek to both strengthen relationships within the consortium, creating a culture of cooperation, and to communication to society in general, academia and especially industry what SFERA is and what services are offered.
- The Joint Research Activities aim to improve the quality and service of the existing infrastructure, extend their services and jointly achieve a common level of high scientific quality." ... more

The Canadian Institute for the Energies and Applied Research
"The Solar Research Facilities of the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) are among the most advanced laboratories in the world for concentrated solar energy research. A major feature of the Unit is a Solar Tower containing a field of 64 large, multi-faceted mirrors (heliostats), each measuring 7x8 meters. Each heliostat tracks the movement of the sun independently and reflects its light onto a selected target on a 54-meter high tower containing five separate experimental levels, each of which can house several experiments. Light can be reflected toward any or all of these stations, allowing a number of experiments to be carried out simultaneously. This is the only Solar Tower facility in the world located on a campus of a research or academic institute and is solely dedicated to scientific work. The Tower is operational since 1988.

In 1995 a unique optical feature, called "beam down" was added in the form of a 75 m2 reflector shaped as a hyperboloid section attached to the tower at about 45 m above ground level. Using this reflector, about one megawatt of concentrated sunlight can be reflected down onto a ground target. This feature exists only at the Weizmann Institute Solar Tower.

Research Projects Conducted at the Solar Research Facilities Unit

Our goal is to explore solar-driven thermal and chemical processes, enabling power production, fuel alternatives, long-term storage and convenient transportation options. Work at WIS is diverse and evolves based on the scientists' vision and mission.

At present, our research programs address the following topics:

1.Electricity production - developing cost effective ways for environmentally clean, solar-driven gas turbines for electricity production.
2.Hydrogen production - WIS scientists work on several methods to produce hydrogen (a clean and efficient fuel) using solar energy. These methods include: (i) hydrocarbon reforming, (ii) methane decomposition, and (iii) solar thermal-electrochemical dissociation of water at high temperatures.
3.Biomass gasification - developing means to use solar energy to convert biomass (such as organic waste) to fuel.
4.Developing of high temperature stable catalyst for steam reforming of methane.
5.Solar reduction of metal oxides, for example, the production of zinc from zinc oxide, for developing a clean process to provide zinc for fuel cells and for the production of hydrogen.
6.Developing of heat storage in a phase change material (PCM) medium." ... more

"The Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) is the largest test facility for solar technologies in the United States. It provides an exciting venue for researching, demonstrating, testing, and validating a broad range of solar technologies at the early commercial or near-commercial stage of development.

SolarTAC includes common areas for performance validation testing of new solar energy system components, including areas for proprietary testing by Member Companies." ... more

"UC Solar is a new multi-campus research institute made up of faculty from the University of California's Merced, Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Davis, and San Diego campuses. UC Solar officially launched in 2010.

UC Solar Director Professor Roland Winston (right) and UC Merced graduate students (L to R) Kevin Balkoski and Heather Poiry with a new concentrating solar thermal collector prototype.

Headquartered at UC Merced, UC Solar conducts cross-disciplinary research that leads to new and improved solar energy generation technologies and educates the energy industry and the next generation of energy scholars.

Initial UC Solar research areas include advancing the state-of-the-art in solar concentration (for photovoltaic and thermal systems), employing nanotechnology in both collector/concentrator and device structures, and developing new devices that capture useable energy in the UV portion of the solar spectrum.

Currently, UC Solar-affiliated researchers at UC Merced are designing non-tracking solar concentrators, developing more efficient optics for indoor lighting, and designing and building a low-cost solar thermal cooling prototype. Participating researchers at UC Berkeley are focusing on achieving very high-efficiency devices using nanoneedles, nanowires and quantum dots, and researchers at UC Santa Barbara are developing materials to harness power in the ultraviolet portion of the solar spectrum.

Faculty and students conducting research within UC Solar have access to the expertise that has been developed in UC Merced’s Nonimaging Optics Laboratory, UC Berkeley's Microfabrication and Optoelectronics Laboratories and UC Santa Barbara's California Nanosystems Institute.

Through collaboration, UC Solar researchers create innovative solar technologies that can be brought to the marketplace quickly and efficiently. UC Solar researchers partner with industry participants through the UC Solar Industry Consortium, which attracts companies that design, produce, implement, manage and invest in solar technologies." ... more