Synopses & Reviews
The German R+D program Solares Testzentrum Almeria (SOTA) provides the scientific basis for the realization of advanced solar technologies including facility modifications, component tests and new lines of development. One of the working packages, WP 300, addresses the Scientific Support by the performance of preparatory studies, exploratory laboratory activities and qualified expertise. Universities, Research Institutes and Company R+D Entities in Germany are enabled to treat the following aspects: - Meteorological, system and cost investigations, - Development of important components as concentrator, receiver, storage, - Utilization of solar energy for process heat and chemical reactions. In 1988 and 1989 the studies concentrated on the development of components. The reports of the activities were finalized recently and collected in the present volumes. The final reports were printed as received under the responsibility of the authors.
Synopsis
During the past decade, several heliostat development projects have been implemented in various parts of the world (MBB, ASINEL, MARTIN MARIETTA, ARCO SOLAR, etc.). These projects have concen- trated on the segmented glass mirror design, as used in the solar tower facilities of SSPS (Spain), BARSTOW (USA), THEMIS (France) 1] as well as in other test and prototype facilities. The main emphasis in these projects has been on the individually curved glass facets, on dimensioning, mounting and adjusting them, as well as on th structural rigidity of the system as a whole. Particular attention has had to be paid to developing drive units with minimum play: the tracking concept generally employed, where the points of rotation of azimuth and elevation almost coincide, places great demands on the drive as regards play and tracking accuracy, and has resulted in some extremely compact, but also some very heavy and expensive units.