Abstract
A focussing collector for producing heat from solar radiation for power use consists of an inflated cylinder of plastic film 12 meters long and 1.5 meters in diameter. The cylinder is made in two segments, the portion exposed to the sun being clear plastic to permit radiation to enter and fall upon the rear segment, which is an aluminised plastic that acts as a mirror. The circular section is shown to be superior to a parabola for over-all focussing and, in addition, is both easier and less expensive to form. The collector, including end rings, weighs only 1.2 kg per square meter of solar aperture. Being deflatable, it is portable. Cost is estimated as $20 per square meter of solar reception. Collection efficiency is about 40 percent.
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