Optical performance of an asymmetric inverted absorber compound parabolic concentrating solar collector

A computer-based numerical model has been developed utilising ray trace techniques, to simulate the optical characteristics of asymmetric inverted absorber line axis compound parabolic concentrating solar collectors (IACPCs). Cognisance is taken of the separate effects of the beam and diffuse properties of the total insolation on the optical performance. Increasing absorber gap height was expected to increase convection heat loss suppression and overall collector performance at the expense of a reduction in optical efficiency. The results are presented as graphical analyses of optical efficiency versus height of absorber gap, reflectivity and, acceptance and ray input angles.