DIY Solar Tracking Parabolic Concentrator - The Story

[georgeplhak]

A detailed Bill of Materials with parts cost is given at the link so you can work it out for the size you need. Of course, your labor is not included as it is DIY (Do It Yourself)

[freeRideFl0w]

Do you know how your system compares in costs to the standard solar pool heating techniques of black pipes/bags on your roof?

[georgeplhak]

For swimming pool heating, sealed collectors would not make any difference since the flow is so high the temperature rise is only a couple degrees. I am working on a vacuum sealed collector for a higher temp application.

With careful design and construction, all of the light from the reflector falls on the collector. I can see this in the beam which does not extend off the collector.

Thank you for your interest and comments

[freeRideFl0w]

Did you ever consider vacuum sealing your collectors? Would it make any difference? Another idea are secondary reflectors, assuming the reflectors are not perfect use smaller parabolic reflectors mounted on top of the pipes, these may reflect less light than is actually directly shown on the pipe though. Another idea are fresnel lenses, easily attached to your current setup. Perhaps do these tests to one of your troughs and measure the improvements.

[georgeplhak]

Thanks for your kind comment. As for how long it would take YOU to make such a collector yourself I am afraid I cannot tell you if your estimates are accurate. I would have to make a few assumptions. The best thing might be to buy the book (the down loadable version is inexpensive), look over the detailed instructions and suggestions I have given and then judge for yourself. There is a fair bit to the project and I would not like to present it as a "Anyone Can Do This In Their Spare Time!"

[adamdarrow]

Great Video and Design! I wonder though, based on your estimates in the video it would take me a minimum of 7 weeks to build a 13 array collector like yours. Is this accurate. I would like to think that once I had the materials I could build the whole thing in about 120 hours of work. Any thoughts?

[georgeplhak]

Thank you! Please consider buying my book to help support more of this work.

[janusz3269951]

very nice job man 

[woodypolino]

awesome i like to build a few of then too.

[jcanivan]

Good job george. Excelent presentation

[georgeplhak]

Thank you. When the sun is overhead and hottest the orientation really does not matter so much. At lower elevations (earlier/later in the day), if oriented east-west, the tracker would not work as hard agreed but more sunlight spills from the ends if the array is east-west so it is less efficient maybe by about 15% at those times. I don't use it in the winter, so there is no seasonal adjustment for me.

[CTOL1]

Wouldn't placing these 90 degrees from currently installed position work just as well, and require less azimuth compensation as the sun crosses the sky? Seasonal alignment would be mostly eliminated, no?

Pretty great none the less

[antronx007]

This is an elegant yet simple design. Are you planning to build another array to help heat your house in winter?

[VillageIdiot8055]

how well does it work? that wasn't mentioned

[georgeplhak]

Please see the link and the blog

[VillageIdiot8055]

good way to heat the water for a in floor radiant heater? year round use idea?