TOWER-TOP FOCUS SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR.

Abstract

Here is a technologically sophisticated large-scale adaptation of the ancient method of reflecting the sun's energy with mirrors to an elevated central focal point where it is absorbed and converted to heat by a black-body collector. A conversion efficiency of 20 to 30 percent for practical concentration ratios and operating temperatures of 550 to 650 C are achievable. Cost per kilowatt-hour thermal approaches a competitive price with oil and gas. Solar energy, at first, could best be utilized by shunt-feeding a conventional fossil-fuel-burning generating plant when solar energy is available. A second approach would be to shunt-feed a fossel-fuel air-conditioning plant that has heavy requirements in the daytime only.