Theoretical analysis of reflected ray error from surface slope error and their application to the solar concentrated collector

TL;DR

This paper provides a theoretical framework to quantify how surface slope errors in solar concentrators cause reflected ray deviations, aiding in design error control for improved collector performance.

Contribution

It introduces a general equation linking surface slope error to reflected ray error, applicable to various reflector types and useful for optical system design.

Findings

Reflected ray error doubles when incidence angle exceeds 0 degrees.

The derived equation fits all reflection surfaces.

Application to five types of solar reflectors demonstrates practical utility.

Abstract

Surface slope error of concentrator is one of the main factors to influence the performance of the solar concentrated collectors which cause deviation of reflected ray and reduce the intercepted radiation. This paper presents the general equation to calculate the standard deviation of reflected ray error from slope error through geometry optics, applying the equation to calculate the standard deviation of reflected ray error for 5 kinds of solar concentrated reflector, provide typical results. The results indicate that the slope error is transferred to the reflected ray in more than 2 folds when the incidence angle is more than 0. The equation for reflected ray error is generally fit for all reflection surfaces, and can also be applied to control the error in designing an abaxial optical system.