This article proposes a real-time implementation of distributed model predictive controllers to maximize the thermal energy generated by parabolic trough collector fields. For this control strategy, we consider that each loop solar field is individually managed controller, which can form coalition with other attain its local goals while contributing overall objective. The formation coalitions b...

Profilometry is useful in detecting surface faults on solar concentrators, which can be imperfectly manufactured, thus affecting system performance. Profilometric analyses are performed a micro-parabolic trough collector (m-PTC), with reduced sizes and greater mirror curvature than usual PTC. The peculiar dimensions shape of this micro-PTC request to develop specific configuration laser profilo...

In this thesis, a literature review of hybrid solar-fossil fuel power generation is first given with an emphasis on system integration and evaluation. Hybrid systems are defined as those which use solar energy and fuel simultaneously, thus excluding the viable alternative of solar thermal plants which use fossil fuels as backup. The review is divided into three main sections: performance metric...

A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is a wellknown non-imaging concentrator that will concentrate the solar radiation onto receiver (PV cell). One of disadvantage of CPC is has tall and narrow height compared to its diameter entry aperture area. Therefore, for economic reason, a truncation had been done by removed from the top of the full height CPC. This also will lead to the decreases of ...

A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is a wellknown non-imaging concentrator that will concentrate the solar radiation onto receiver (PV cell). One of disadvantage of CPC is has tall and narrow height compared to its diameter entry aperture area. Therefore, for economic reason, a truncation had been done by removed from the top of the full height CPC. This also will lead to the decreases of ...