[Greenbuilding] Fresnel lenses box solar cooker
RT
archilogic at yahoo.ca
Mon Jun 3 14:23:07 CDT 2013
On Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:51:27 -0400, Topher <topher at greenfret.com> wrote:
>> Also, I'm pretty sure that I remember my neighbour saying that CPV
>> systems are typically designed as tracking systems,
> tracking is /already/ more expensive than just
> adding more panels.
Is this true ?
You may recall that about a year ago I posted some messages to this list
about the output from one of my neighbours' 10 kW single-axis tracking
array.
He was regularly getting up to 40% higher production than an
identically-sized fixed array in the same neighbourhood. (I had posted a
link to a site that provided real-time monitoring data for the fixed
array).
My neighbour assured me that it would not have been more cost-effective
for him to simply add more panels when I told him that I had doubts about
the efficacy. I should probably mention that he's a thrifty Scot who would
not spend an extra nickel (Canadian for the 5 cent piece just in case
Murricans are unfamiliar) without first thoroughly exploring every
opportunity to avoid the expenditure.
Thinking about it now, I suppose that the design of the tracking mechanism
would be a factor in determining cost.
> The problem is not just the cost of the lenses. In order to get the
> same output as a 20 meter^2 PV panel array, you need 20 meter^2 of
> Fresnel lenses; and some means of holding it very steady in the wind, a
> precise distance away from the collector; plus be able to move the whole
> unit (including the cooling system), very precisely throughout the day,
> every day.
I suspect that the above is not much of a challenge for the PV
cowboys/gals these days judging by the number of 10 KW tracking arrays one
sees mounted atop a single mast when out for a morning bike ride around
this neighbourhood.
Even more alarming to me when seeing them is that more than a few (of the
single mast-mounted 10 kW arrays) have been installed along the same
wind-exposed ridge where I've seen barn roofs (ie cladding,purlins &
rafters) hung up in the trees after a windstorm.
--
=== * ===
Rob Tom AOD257
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
< A r c h i L o g i c at Y a h o o dot c a >
(manually winnow the chaff from my edress if you hit "reply")
More information about the Greenbuilding
mailing list