Hybrid solar parabolic trough/cusp collectors better?

[markleerose]

This is awesome!

[bxxj]

your stacking idea is incredible!! for a limited power budget application this configuration has promise! the plumbing is expensive so putting a trough on both sides of the tube is more cost effective. your other vid weighs gains and losses of the top curve. i think the gains of 2 troughs in a fixed position on a vertical wall would be optimal for this concept.

[gaiatechnician]

Just a note that I have 2 videos that can help if people try to make their own curves

" Parabolic is the wrong shape" shows how you can use a laser level and reflective material and "designing a solar cooking dish, the cone method" gives a pencil and paper method that might help.

Another shape that is worth looking at is a winston collector. I have not seen a drawing of one designed for 47 degrees acceptance angle.

A compromise  acceptance angle versus concentration factor must be made.

[yellowmetalcyborg]

Interresting, I will look this up and try to make one.

[johnnyboy41]

Wow ... you've given me something to work out and think about. thanks..