Review on influencing parameters in the performance of concentrated solar power collector based on materials, heat transfer fluids and design

Abstract

The solar collector (reflector and receiver) is the primary device being used in the concentrating solar power technologies for tapping the solar energy to meet various objectives. The performance of the solar collector is influenced by the type of reflector and receiver being selected, and its material also has significant impact. The choice of the heat transferring medium, storage material, receiver design and its performance parameter also influences the solar collector’s performance. In this regard, a review has been carried out for these parameters and presented in this paper to highlight the challenges encountered, new methodologies identified and proposed, and future research needs by various researchers to improvise the thermal efficiencies of the different types of collectors used in the concentrating solar power technologies.