An Innovative Dish/Stirling System

Among the solar-thermal systems for generating electricity, the parabolic concentrator with Stirling engine is distinguished by its high efficiency and the ease with which it can be adapted to specified consumption structures. These advantages are an encouragement to pursue further development, primarily in order to bring the system closer to the goal of economic operation. A Dish/Stirling prototype is described which is based on a polar mounted vacuum-supported metal-membrane concentrator 7.5 m in diameter. The Stirling engine used in the prototype is of relatively simple design but is highly reliable. It has a power rating of 8 - 10 kW. The objectives on which the development is based are explained; the design of the concentrator, its optical performance, the drives and the solarization of the Stirling engine are described.