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Equal Irradiance design on the receiving surface based on the differential equations for concentrators

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  • Wang, Dongxu
  • Fan, Guanheng
  • Duan, Baoyan
  • Chen, Guangda
  • Zhang, Yiqun
  • Li, Xintong

Abstract

The equal-irradiance design of the receiving surface of a concentrating system is one of the key technologies for ground-based large-scale concentrators and space solar power systems. Using a regular receiver surface shape, the difference between the maximum and minimum light intensity on the receiver surface can vary by several times to tens of times. An equal-irradiance design method for receiving surface based on the derivation of differential equations was proposed. First, a differential equation satisfying the distribution function of the equal-energy for receiving surface of the concentrator was derived. Second, the spherical concentrator system was solved. Furthermore, based on the equal irradiance function and engineering, the design problem of the receiving surface busbar was reduced to a nonlinear problem, and an analysis and solution of the response were provided. Numerical and physical experiments illustrated the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed model and method. Then, from the comparison of the total power generated, the receiving surface with equal energy intensity design has a great advantage of 21 % over the simple geometry receiving surface. Finally, an error design was performed according to the equal-energy-distribution bus equation, which improved the power-to-mass ratio of 19 % of the system.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Dongxu & Fan, Guanheng & Duan, Baoyan & Chen, Guangda & Zhang, Yiqun & Li, Xintong, 2026. "Equal Irradiance design on the receiving surface based on the differential equations for concentrators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pa:s0960148125015629
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123898
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