Durability studies of solar reflectors: A review. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: García-Segura, A.; Fernández-García, A.; Ariza, M.J.; Sutter, F.; Valenzuela, L.
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 62(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 467
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: AENOR Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación (Spain) -- AET accelerated exposure testing -- ASRM advanced solar reflective mirror -- ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials (USA) -- BEC Boeing Engineering and Construction Company (USA) -- CASS copper accelerated acetic acid salt spray -- CEA LITEN Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives-Laboratoire d׳Innovation pour les Technologies des Énergies Nouvelles (France) -- CENER Centro Nacional de Energías Renovables (Spain) -- CIEMAT Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (Spain) -- CR central receiver -- CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Australia) -- CSP concentrating solar power -- DLR Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (Germany) -- DNI direct normal irradiance -- DSET desert sunshine exposure testing facility -- EDX energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy -- EMMA equatorial mount with mirrors for acceleration -- FTIR-ATR Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflection -- IBAD ion-beam-assisted deposition -- IEA International Energy Agency -- IEC International Electrotechnical Commission -- ISO International Organization for Standardization -- ITW Illinois Tool Works (USA) -- NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA) -- NSS neutral salt spray -- OET outdoor exposure testing -- OPAC Optical Aging Characterization (Spain) -- PET polyethylene terephthalate -- PMMA polymethylmethacrylate -- PNL Pacific Northwest Laboratory (USA) -- PSA Plataforma Solar de Almería (Spain) -- PTC parabolic-trough collectors -- PVD physical vapor deposition -- SAIC Science Applications International Corporation (USA) -- SEM scanning electron microscopy -- SERI Solar Energy Research Institute (USA) -- SERS surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy -- SLP service lifetime prediction -- SNL Sandia National Laboratories (USA) -- SolarPACES Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems -- SPS surface photovoltage spectroscopy -- SSR solar spectrum reflectometer -- STAAC standard anodized aluminum coilcoated -- STAAP standard anodized aluminum coated piece-by-piece -- STE solar thermal electricity -- UAWS, ultra -accelerated weathering system -- UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico); Concentrating solar power -- Solar reflector -- Durability -- Accelerated exposure testing -- Outdoor exposure testing; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Reflectors are a vital part of a concentrating solar thermal power plant. One of their most important characteristics is their durability, which entails the maintenance of their optical properties throughout their service lifetime, aimed at 10–30 years or more. The assessment of their optical durability involves the design of two types of aging tests, outdoor exposure testing under real ambient conditions and accelerated exposure testing in weathering chambers under simulated conditions. After exposure to different stress factors for certain periods of time, the optical performance of reflectors is evaluated mainly in terms of reflectance, but also regarding qualitative parameters such as their visual appearance and degradation patterns. The ultimate goal of a durability study is to conceive meaningful accelerated testing procedures that simulate real outdoor degradation in a short time and provide service lifetime estimates for a certain type of reflector at a specific site. To achieve this, more research on service lifetime prediction should be conducted and the standardization of accelerated testing procedures and reflectance evaluation methods should become widespread, to obtain comparable representative results. In this article, the most significant durability studies performed on the three main types of solar reflectors (glass-based, aluminum and silvered-polymer) and prospective approaches for improving future endeavors are discussed.