Efficient solar system collector created

ALBUQUERQUE, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. government researchers have developed a more energy efficient parabolic trough solar collector system.

Officials said the new technology -- a mirror alignment measurement device invented by Sandia National Laboratories researcher Rich Diver -- might soon make one of the most popular solar collector systems, parabolic troughs, more affordable and energy efficient.

Diver's new theoretical overlay photographic technology, or TOP, is said to be drawing interest from the solar industry because of its simplicity.

"TOP alignment could cure a significant problem with trough systems -- inaccurate mirror alignment that prevents sunlight from precisely focusing on solar receivers," Diver said. "Improperly aligned mirrors result in lost and wasted energy."

Parabolic troughs use mirrored surfaces curved in a parabolic shape. The mirrors focus sunlight on a receiver tube running the length of the trough. Oil runs through the focal region where it is heated to high temperatures and then goes through a heat exchanger to generate steam, which is subsequently used to run a conventional power plant.

The research was conducted by Diver and Tim Moss, who serves as project manager and primary software and hardware developer.

Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.