Hybrid solar parabolic trough/cusp collectors better?

Cusp collectors have a great "acceptance angle" 180 degrees but poor concentration ratios.
Stationary Parabolic trough collectors have a small acceptance angle so they cannot produce high concentration ratios either!
If we combine their characteristics, perhaps we can get good solar concentration in a season where only 47 degree acceptance angle is needed. This is what the collectors might look like. If you want to design your own, the response video might be helpful, (to design it on paper with simple tools) and my "parabolic is the wrong shape" video might be helpful for design too.
That one shows the use of a small laser pointer or laser level with reflective material to follow the light path.
Brian

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• diy

[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.

[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.

[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..