研究目的
Investigating the feasibility of nanostructured planar focusing collectors (PFCs) as low-cost alternatives to parabolic trough technology for concentrating solar power (CSP) applications.
研究成果
The study demonstrates the feasibility of using nanostructured-engineered PFCs for CSP applications, with the FPFC design showing better performance and scalability than the MPFC design. The FPFC achieves an annual optical efficiency of ~40% for a concentration ratio of 5, suggesting potential economic advantages in industrial process heat applications. However, further improvements in design and fabrication are needed to meet the higher efficiency targets for electricity generation.
研究不足
The study faces challenges in fabricating and scaling up metasurface designs due to their complexity and the fidelity of the fabrication process. The optical performance of the fabricated PFCs is lower than theoretical predictions, partly due to fabrication limitations. Additionally, the PFC designs are more sensitive to the angle of incidence than parabolic troughs, requiring precise solar tracking.
