Simulation and experimental validation of a parabolic trough plant for solar thermal applications under the semi-arid climate conditions

In this paper, yield analysis of a 186 kWth parabolic trough collector (PTC) system for medium-temperature heat process applications, is conducted under a semi-arid climate (Benguerir, Morocco). For this purpose, a PTC model is simulated and validated using experimental data from a PTC test loop, installed at the Green Energy Park research facility. Following, the studied system is simulated using high-quality meteorological data measured at ground level for three years. The impact of soiling on the system's heat production is studied, considering it as a time-dependent parameter. Finally, an economic analysis is conducted considering as indicators the Levelized cost of heat (LCOH) and the payback time. According to the results, the used model for PTC simulation is accurate, where the daily average deviation is around 4.8% under clear sky conditions. Furthermore, and based on the simulation results, integration of PTC in the Moroccan industrial processes can be very beneficial, where the proposed 186 kWth PTC plant can produce about 388 Tons of saturated steam at 5 bars, annually. Nevertheless, soiling is a limiting efficiency factor especially during the dry period of the year, where the solar field daily average thermal losses can reach 354 kWthh, which is equivalent to a drop of 27% in the production. Economic evaluation results showed that for a low-cost PTC (< 250 (sic)/m(2)), an LCOH and payback period of respectively 0.03 (sci)/kWthh and six years can be obtained, which makes the investment financially reliable.