Impact of wind-driven loads on optical performance of solar collectors: observations from the Nevada Solar One and Crescent Dunes power plants

Optical performance of solar collectors is known to be sensitive to wind driven loads. This performance loss is typically quantified in the form of tracking and slope errors. Tracking error is defined as the angular offset of a collector away from the sun position whereas slope error is due to the deformation in the shape of the collectors’ mirror surfaces. Previous studies have explored the impact of tracking error on optical performance but have not fully addressed the impact of wind-driven loads on the tracking error. Further, there is a lack of long-term data characterizing spatial and temporal variations in tracking errors at an operational power plant. In this presentation, we will characterize tracking errors on parabolic troughs at the Nevada Solar One CSP plant and on heliostats at the Crescent Dunes power tower plant. This characterization of optical performance loss is generated using long-term field measurement of the collector orientation (elevation and azimuth) at multiple locations across the power plant. In addition to optical error quantification, we will also present observations on the influence of wind loading and other factors leading to loss of optical