Low-cost, light weight, thin film solar concentrator

Abstract

This research addresses a cost barrier towards achieving a solar thermal collector system with an installed cost of $75/m2 and meet the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) performance targets for optical errors, operations during windy conditions and lifetime. Current concentrators can cost as much as 40-50% of the total installed costs for a CSP plant. In order to reduce the costs from current $200-$250/m2, it is important to focus on the overall system. The reflector surface is a key cost driver, and our film-based polymer reflector will help significantly in achieving DOE’s cost target of $75/m2. The ease of manufacturability, installation and replacement make this technology a compelling one to develop. This technology can be easily modified for a variety of CSP options including heliostats, parabolic dishes and parabolic troughs.