Flux distribution and field analysis of CSP collector

The flux distribution on the focal plane of the receiver and spacing of parabolic dish collector arrays for power generation are investigated in this paper. The mathematical models are developed to study the variation in the image size on the receiver and thereby flux distribution on the focal plane. The effect of focal image dispersion characteristics on the receiver is studied with respect to rim angle. It is observed that the focal image size is very small for 40° to 50° rim angle. The optimum space required between the dishes is investigated for deployment of power generation. The area covered and orientation of shadows depends on time of the day, latitude of the place and declination. To compute the minimum distance required between the dishes, a year round shadow analysis of dish collectors is performed for different arrangement of the dish collector. Ground utilization factor (ratio of total collector area to land area) determines the fraction of solar energy actually used out of the total energy received by the land area. A year round shadow profile of dish collector is to arrive minimum spacing between the dishes to avoid shadowing. In-line arrangement of the solar dish collectors is found to be a better choice in terms of the minimum land area required. The spacing between the dishes in east-west direction is chosen such a way that it is equal to shadow length for a given operating hours after the sunrise at solar azimuth angle of 90°. In north-south direction, the spacing distance is equal to shadow length at noon at a declination of -23.45°. The generalized correlations are developed for both east-west and north-south spacing distances as the function of latitude and plant operating hours.