The Rogers' Focusing Heliostat Experimental Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

摘要

This report details a research effort to develop a solar collector package designed specifically with the needs and solar resources of the Northeast in mind. The heliostat is a concentrating solar collector which is 30 feet high, 34 feet wide and has 864 square feet of mirror concentrator. Electric controls move the structure so it tracks the path of the sun as it rises and sets and moves across the sky. When the sun is not shining, the mirrors turn down, shielding them from the dirt, ice and snow. However, when it rains the mirrors turn up for cleaning, helping to keep them in peak operating condition. The heliostat's design incorporates a concentrating capability which takes the diffuse energy of the sun and focuses it, creating temperatures of more than 3,600F and producing enough steam as a result to displace 70 kW of electricity at peak operation. The unit tested in this demonstration was used for space heating, and domestic hot water as well as to fire an absorption air conditioner.