Some Techniques in Configurational Geometry as Applied to Solar Collectors and Concentrators

Abstract

All systems, which harness and use the sun’s energy as heat, are called solar thermal systems. These include solar water heaters, solar air heaters, and solar stills for distilling water, crop driers, solar space heat systems and water desalination systems. This chapter presents analysis based on configurational geometry of solar radiation collectors and concentrators using system models that have the same dimensions, material structure and properties. The work shows that different elements added to concentrators of well known configurations increase the geometric concentration ratio. The need to develop effective solar thermal systems is not only to reduce the effects of global warming but also to reduce the overall costs and risks of climate change. Therefore, it is paramount to develop technologies for utilizing clean and renewable energy on a large scale. Solar energy being the cleanest source of renewable energy free of Green House Gas (GHG) emission has seen the development of many gadgets and new technologies which include power generation (e.g., photovoltaic and solar thermal), heating, drying, cooling, ventilation, etc. Development of the technologies utilizing solar energy focuses on improving the efficiency and reducing the cost. The objective of this book chapter is to present an analysis based on configurational geometry of solar radiation collectors and concentrators using system models that have been used to demonstrate the technique of configurational geometry in design and applications of a number of systems. Geometry configuration plays an important role in most if not all solar collectors and concentrators. A number of collectors and concentrators have symmetries which allow them to collect and concentrate solar thermal energy. Since solar collector and concentrator surfaces are normally planes or curves of specific configurations, the analysis of system processes can be carried out through the use of the laws and rules of optics. Because of the known geometries and symmetries found in the collectors and concentrators, analysis of the collection and reflection of light, hence radiation analysis can also be done using configurational geometries of the systems. We shall discuss the general principles of operation of solar collectors and concentrators then show in a number of ways that it is possible to design collectors and concentrators innovatively using the method of configurational geometry. By use of some