Development of Sheet Molding Compound Solar Collectors with Molded-in Silvered Glass Reflective Surfaces

摘要

An approach to the fabrication of a line-focusng parabolic trough reflector structure which offers the potential of high performance while utilizing mass production type technology with potential for low cost is discussed. The concept is one of a molded structure of fiber reinforced plastic with an integrally molded silvered glass reflective surface. Sheet molding compound (SMC), a mixture of glass fibers and inorganic fillers in polyester resin, has been selected for evaluation as representative of reinforced plastic molding materials. The purpose of the work was to establish the feasibility of molding glass mirrors into SMC structural trough panels. If the effort proved successful, the next stage of development would be demonstration of the structure in a trough collector which incorporates individual SMC reflector panels. The trough has a 2 x 6 m aperture with six individual SMC panels mounted on a torque tube as the main support structure. Results are described. (ERA citation 05:030536)