Impact of utilizing reflector, single-axis and two-axis sun trackers on the performance of an evacuated tube solar collector

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, a novel evacuated tube solar collector (ETSC) is first designed and built. Then, the impact of adding reflector, reflector plus single-axis sun tracker and reflector plus two-axis sun tracker to the built ETSC on the thermal efficiency of the ETSC is evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. In this regard, four identical versions of the proposed ETSC have been built and utilized in four collectors built and presented in this research work. The first collector is the same proposed built ETSC, the second collector is a parabolic trough solar collector comprising one built ETSC and a reflector (ETSC+R), the third collector is composed of one built ETSC, a reflector and a single-axis sun tracker all built in this study (ETSC+R+ ST), and the fourth collector consists of one built ETSC, a reflector and a two-axis sun tracker all built in this study (ETSC+R+ DT). Theoretical basis and concepts of the four collectors are formulated and analyzed in separate subsections. Theoretical results are outlined and highlighted at the end of each subsection. Experimental measurements and data obtained from the operation of the four collectors in the four seasons are presented that point by point verify theoretical results obtained in this study. To provide a comprehensive view, a techno-economic numerical comparison is performed between the four collectors. The following points, which are also the novelty and contributions of this work, are deduced from theoretical concepts, experimental data, and comparison provided in this study: •There is no technical and economic justification for adding a reflector to an ETSC that results in forming a parabolic trough solar collector (ETSC+R) without any sun tracker. •There is no economic justification for adding a single-axis sun tracker to a parabolic trough solar collector (ETSC+R). •There is no economic justification for adding a two-axis sun tracker to a parabolic trough solar collector (ETSC+R). •Comparing between a two-axis sun tracker and a single-axis sun tracker, adding the single-axis type to a parabolic trough solar collector (ETSC+R) is more advantageous.