Selection of Glass Alternative Materials for Manufacturing Heliostat Reflective Facets

Traditional concentrating solar power plants utilize silvered glass reflective facets that account for a significant portion of the total plant cost. Several cost-effective non-glass reflectors have been developed. A majority of these novel reflectors are flexible, which necessitates exploring support structures to maintain their shape during use. This study presents a methodology for evaluating and selecting structural support materials for non-glass heliostat facets. The approach employs analytical models to efficiently screen a large pool of candidate materials based on strength, stiffness, and deflection due to gravity, using an existing glass reflector panel as a reference. During analysis, sandwich panels showed promise as viable support for the reflector. The most promising sandwich panel designs are further investigated using experimental testing. The analytical model predictions are found to align moderately well with physical test results, validating its utility for rapid material selection. The top-performing sandwich panel designs demonstrate the potential for cost savings and increased facet size compared to traditional glass facets. This research provides a framework for evaluating and selecting structural materials for non-glass heliostat facets, enabling improved cost-effectiveness and performance of concentrating solar power systems.