Study of the Effect of Using Different Solar Tracking Time-Steps on the Central Tower Receiver Power Plant

In central receiver solar power plant, heliostat tracking accuracy affects the optical efficiency and the amount of energy received at the target. In the present article, an analysis of the effect of using different solar tracking time-steps on the energy consumption and power losses of a central receiver system. The drive system energy consumption is calculated by using a Solidworks model of the heliostat mechanical drive system. This Solidworks model is interfaced to a Labview model containing the model of the electrical drive and control systems. The power collected at the receiver is calculated using solar radiation mathematical model and Monte Carlo ray tracing software.