Feasibility of photovoltaic cells on a fixed mirror distributed focus solar bowl

The object of the Crosbyton Solar Power Project was to design a solar-fossil hybrid power plant to provide electrical power to Crosbyton, Texas. To meet this objective a test facility was built south of town. The power is produced by focusing sunlight to convert water to steam then using the steam to turn a generator to produce electricity. In times of inclement weather, darkness, or breakdown, electricity is provided by conventional fossil fuels. With the advances in photovoltaic cell efficiency and decreases in cost of manufacturing, direct conversion from solar energy to electrical energy could be possible. The purpose of this study is to determine the technical feasibility of solar cells on a fixed mirror distributed focus solar bowl, such as at the test facility at Crosbyton.

Most of the research effort was devoted to the design of the receiver. The cells are mounted on the movable receiver, which tracks the sun during the day. The receiver with attached photovoltaic cells is the critical design element in this solar-electric concept. Its shape and size impact the solar concentration on the cells and the cooling requirements. Once the receiver was designed the essential support equipment needed was studied. These support systems provide for the cooling of the cells and conditioning the direct current electrical output from the solar array to be compatible with the load requirements.

No estimate of the cost of construction and operation of such a solar system was made. Such an estimate would be needed to determine the overall feasibility of such a system. However, the simplicity of the receiver designed here and the projections of low cost commercially available solar cells indicate that the feasibility of direct energy conversion by solar cells on a distributed focus receiver may become practical in the near future.