Successful solar energy receivers are the result of resolving many conflicting engineering requirements. Requirements such as material limitations, thermal efficiency, optical efficiency, transient response and the interaction with collector control systems need to be considered to minimise the use of expensive materials, maximise efficiency and lifetime.
At Sunopti we have experience in the design and simulation of solar energy receivers including parabolic trough receivers and around ten different high temperature heliostat field receivers, both cavity and external types, for various working fluids.
Using advanced raytracing software, it is possible to model in detail how solar energy interacts with receiver features like the fine details of tubular receivers, and specular and diffuse reflecting internal surfaces.