Development of a consensus standard for determining thermal performance of high-concentration-ratio solar collectors

Consensus standard test method, for determining the thermal performance of concentrating solar collectors is described. The method applies to outdoor testing of one or two axis concentrating collectors with heat fluids for use in thermal systems and whose design is such that the effects of diffuse sky irradiance is negligible. The procedures determine the optical response of the collector for various angles of incidence of solar radiation, and the thermal performance of the collector at various operating temperatures for the condition of maximum optical response. The method requires quasi steady state conditions, measurement of enviromental parameters, and determination of the fluidmass flow rate specific heat product and temperature difference of the heat transfer fluid between the inlet and outlet of the collector. These quantities determine the rate of heat gain for the solar irradiance condition encountered. Thermal performance is determined as the rate of heat gain of the collector relative to the solar power incident on the plane of the collector aperture.