Abstract :
The yearly energy collection efficiency of stationary solar concentrators can be evaluated using reverse ray-tracing, and a solar radiation
model. In reverse ray-tracing, rays originating at the receiver of the concentrator are traced towards the surrounding hemisphere.
The method allows for the evaluation of the absolute energy collection: new concentrators may be optimized for location and tilt, requiring
one-time ray-tracing. The tilt of existing concentrators is optimized. Only possible solar incidence is considered by our model. The
method is fast and realistic; it can be modified for concentrators in tilt operation.
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