Performance evaluation of low-cost FRP parabolic trough reflector with mild steel receiver

Solar collector and concentrator system can be used for industrial process heat application in various industries. Apart from the low temperature applications, there are several potential fields of application for solar thermal energy at medium-high temperatures (80°C to 300°C). This paper describes the experimental results of the prototype parabolic trough made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic with its aperture area coated by aluminum foil with a reflectivity of 0.86. From Indian conditions, there is a large potential available for low-cost solar-concentrating technologies for domestic as well as industrial process heat applications. This line-focusing parabolic trough with mild steel receiver coated with black proxy material has been tested with and without glass cover. Instantaneous efficiency of 51% and 39% has been achieved with and without glass cover, respectively. Performance evaluation of the prototype system has been done during the months of April and May 2010 at Shivaji University, Kolhapur (16.42°N latitude, 74.13°W longitude). The total cost of the prototype system developed has been calculated as Rs10,000 (US$200).