Challenges in Solar Concentrator Deployment
heliostat field systems Discover heliostat field systems and their contribution to concentrating solar energy for power towers.
A heliostat field system is a core component of a solar power tower plant, a type of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. The system consists of a large array of mirrors, known as heliostats, which are individually controlled by a computer to track the sun's movement. These heliostats continuously adjust their position to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a single central receiver located at the top of a tall tower.
How it Works
The fundamental principle is to transform sunlight into high-temperature heat. The heliostats act as "solar collectors" that, rather than absorbing sunlight, reflect it to a single point. This concentration of solar radiation generates extremely high temperatures at the receiver—often exceeding 1,000°F (538°C)—which can be used to heat a fluid, such as molten salt or steam, to generate electricity via a turbine.
The design and control of a heliostat field are crucial for the efficiency and performance of the entire CSP plant. The layout of the mirrors, their size, and their tracking accuracy directly impact the amount of energy that reaches the receiver. A well-designed system minimizes optical losses from factors like shading and blocking (when one heliostat casts a shadow on another) and atmospheric attenuation.