Performance of Solar Concentrator with and without Mirror Coating Paper

Abstract

The utilization of solar energy continues to be developed to get the best efficiency. This energy can be used for electricity generation, cooling, and/or drying. One technology that is still under development is the use of solar concentrators. Therefore, our paper aims to measure the performance of the development of a solar collection unit coated with mirror paper. Furthermore, the data is compared with the test data for solar concentrators without mirror paper that was carried out by previous researchers in 2019. The method used in this research is a field experiment. A simple statistical comparison method was carried out on the experimental data. Field testing was conducted after the solar concentrator was coated with mirror paper. The test was carried out for 5 days in full shining sun conditions in Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia. The surface coating of the solar concentrator with mirror paper has not been able to improve the performance of the solar concentrator satisfactorily. Solar concentrators can heat the fluid from its initial average temperature of 19.37 %.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 Several field tests were undertaken to determine the effectiveness of solar concentrators with and without mirror coated paper
 The fluid temperature heated with coated paper in a solar concentrator provides a higher temperature than without paper coating
 Solar concentrator with mirror coated paper has potential as an alternative for covering the surface of the solar concentrator
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT