A theoretical evaluation of the thermal performance of CPC with flat one-sided absorber

Mathematical equations are developed to study thermal processes in a CPC collector with a flat one-sided absorber. An expression for the temperature of the heat transfer fluid as a function of the space-co-ordinate in the flow direction and the time dependent solar intensity is developed. The effects of various parameters on the thermal performance of such a CPC are studied. The selectively coated CPC with flat one-sided collector is more efficient than the black painted one with the same condition. The predicted results were also compared with the experimental results reported in the literature. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.