Novel Solar Mirrors Based on Tandem Silver-Aluminium Thin Films

Solar mirrors are the key components of every solar thermal power (CSP) plant. Novel concepts are being sought to advance the state-of-the-art of solar mirrors, with a focus on reducing costs, increasing reflection efficiency, improving stability, and enhancing environmental friendliness [1,2]. In this work, the first demonstration of a solar mirror technology based on tandem Silver-Aluminum (Ag-Al) reflector is reported. The main aim is to reduce Ag raw material consumption and manufacturing costs. This study evaluates the optical reflectance with changing Ag-Al configuration and varying Ag and Al layer thicknesses. Also, the importance of barrier diffusion interlayer between Ag and Al is analyzed.