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Solar Thermal: How It Works
Linear Concetrator Systems Parabolic Dish Solar Tower Linear Concentrator Systems Linear Concentrator Systems (LCS) consist of a large array of mirrors that reflect and focus sunlight into a receiver. These mirrors are generally positioned in parallel rows, running north and south, and mounted on a tracking system to move with the sun to maximize sunlight collection. The receiver contains a heat-transfer fluid, which is heated to generate the steam that powers a generator. LCS systems include Parabolic Trough and Linear Fresnel Reflector systems and differ in the mirror type and receiver location. Parabolic Trough Parabolic Trough systems use parabolic mirrors, which reflect the sunlight into the receiver located along the focal line of each mirror. In this system, the tracking needs only to follow the sunlight. Parabolic Trough systems can also include thermal storage, where extra units are installed to heat the storage system during the day/sunlight and released during cloudy periods and night.  Linear Fresnel Reflector Linear Fresnel Reflector systems use flat or slightly curved mirrors which track the sun and reflect the sunlight into fixed overhead receivers that each collect sunlight from several mirrors. A small parabolic mirror can also be added above the receiver to help focus more sunlight into the receiver. In this system, the tracking needs to follow the sun as well as align the mirrors with the overhead receiver. It does, however, require fewer steam pipes as compared to Parabolic Trough systems.  |
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