Engineering Development Studies for Integrated Evacuated CPC Arrays. Interim Technical Progress Report

摘要

A substantial improvement in optical efficiency over contemporary external reflector evacuated tube collectors has been achieved by integrating the reflector surface into the outer glass envelope. The design, fabrication and preliminary test results are described for a prototype collector based on this concept. Efficiencies above 40% up to nearly 300 exp 0 C may be achieved. A comprehensive test program to measure performance and operational characteristics of a 2 m exp 2 panel (45 tubes) is being carried out and problems associated with the deployment and application of larger arrays are being studied.