A solar collector assembly (SCA) is an individually tracking component of the solar field that includes mirrors, a supporting structure, and heat collection elements or receivers.

For a more detailed description of the model, please download the CSP trough reference manual from the SAM website.

Solar Collector Assembly (SCA)

The solar collector assembly (SCA) input variables describe the dimensions and optical characteristics of the SCA or collector.

Current SCA inputs

The name of the collector in the SCA library

SCA Length (m)

The total length of a single SCA. Used in SCA end loss calculation.

SCA Aperture (m)

The structural width of a single SCA, including reflective area and gaps. Used in the row-to-row shadowing loss factor and HCE thermal loss calculations.

SCA Aperture Reflective Area (m2)

The reflective area of a single SCA, not including gaps. Used in the solar field size calculations.

Average Focal Length (m)

Average trough focal length. Used in end gain and end loss factor calculations.

Incident Angle Modifier Coef F0, F1, F2

Incident angle modifier coefficients. Used to calculate the incident angle modifier factor, which is used to calculate the HCE absorbed energy and the solar field optical efficiency.

Tracking Error and Twist

Accounts for errors in the SCA's ability to track the sun. Sources of error may include poor alignment of sun sensor, tracking algorithm error, errors caused by the tracker drive update rate, and twisting of the SCA end at the sun sensor mounting location relative to the tracking unit end. A typical value is 0.985. Used to calculate SCA field error factor.

Geometric Accuracy

Accounts for SCA optical errors caused by misaligned mirrors, mirror contour distortion caused by the support structure, mirror shape errors compared to an ideal parabola, and misaligned or distorted HCE. A typical range of values is between 0.97 and 0.98. Used to calculate SCA field error factor.

Mirror Reflectance

The mirror reflectance input is the solar weighted specular reflectance. The solar-weighted specular reflectance is the fraction of incident solar radiation reflected into a given solid angle about the specular reflection direction. The appropriate choice for the solid angle is that subtended by the receiver as viewed from the point on the mirror surface from which the ray is being reflected. For parabolic troughs, typical values for solar mirrors are 0.923 (4-mm glass), 0.945 (1-mm or laminated glass), 0..906 (silvered polymer), 0.836 (enhanced anodized aluminum), and 0.957 (silvered front surface).

Mirror Cleanliness Factor (avg)

Accounts for dirt and dust on the mirrors that reduce their effective reflectivity. Typically, mirrors are continuously cleaned, but a single mirror may be cleaned once each one or two weeks. The expected overall effect on the total solar field would be an average loss of between one and two percent. A typical value would be 0.985. Used to calculate SCA field error factor.

Dust on Envelope (avg)

Accounts for dust on the HCE envelope that affects light transmission. A typical value would be 0.99. Used to calculate HCE heat loss.

Concentrator Factor

A additional error factor to make it possible to adjust the SCE performance without modifying the other error factors. Useful for modeling an improved or degraded SCE. The default value is 1. Used to calculate SCA field error factor.

Solar Field Availability

Accounts for solar field down time for maintenance and repairs. Used to calculate absorbed energy.