Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems

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20 kW demonstration system at Rockingham

Construction of the 20 kW system at Rockingham

Close up of air cooled solar receiver

Test site in Spring Valley, near Canberra

The Australian National University has long experience with concentrator systems, dating back to the White Cliffs solar thermal power plant constructed in 1978. Over the last five years the Centre has developed a range of parabolic trough solar concentrators fitted with photovoltaic collectors.

PV/Trough System

A photovoltaic/trough concentrator system for the production of electricity in remote areas has been developed, in conjunction with Solahart Industries Pty Ltd. The system is based on sun-tracking mirrors that reflect light onto a receiver lined with solar cells. The solar cells are illuminated with approximately 25 times normal solar concentration, and convert about 20% of the sunlight into electricity. The balance of the solar energy is converted into heat, which is removed via a finned aluminium heat exchanger. A 20 kW demonstration system was constructed in Rockingham, near Perth (Western Australia).

Suitable markets are in remote areas in competition with diesel electric systems.

20 kW system at Rockingham