NRL has developed a trough-configuration solar concentrator with ultra-light thin film reflectors that are stretched flat using an edge-tensioning support system. With a geometric concentration ratio of 2.5 to 1, the specific power of the photovoltaic array is approximately doubled by the NRL system. A 300 watt experimental demonstration model of the array/reflector system has been successfully built and deployed, and predicted power levels have been reached in solar simulator testing. Work currently underway includes design, construction, and deployment of a 4 kilowatt array, optimization of reflector border shape and reflector attachment method, testing and modeling of thermal cycling and temperature effects, and assessment of space degradation issues.
Naval Research Laboratory solar concentrator program
Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 282-287
1998-01-15
6 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Naval Research Laboratory Solar Concentrator Program
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