A methodology for optimisation of solar dish-Stirling systems size, based on the local frequency distribution of direct normal irradiance

In geographical areas where direct solar irradiation levels are relatively high, concentrated energy systems one of the most promising green technologies. Dish-Stirling those that achieve highest solar-to-electric conversion efficiency, and yet they still among least common commercially available This paper focuses on a strategy aimed at promoting greater diffusion dish-Stirling systems, which involves optimizing size collector aperture area based hourly frequency distributions beam irradiance defining new incentive scheme with feed-in tariff is variable installed costs technology. To this purpose, numerical model was defined calibrated experimental data collected for an existing plant located in Palermo (Italy). Hourly-based simulations were carried out to assess performance 6 different system configurations 7 sites central Mediterranean using two databases: Meteonorm PVGIS. A simplified calculation approach also developed simulate production from histograms irradiance. The results reveal optimised can produce 70–87 MWhe/year locations varying between 2000 2500 kWh/(m2·year). proposed would guarantee payback time investment technology about ten years effect economies scale could lead, over years, levelized cost similar other concentrating power systems.