Heliostat array layouts for multi-tower central receiver solar power plants

US8656907B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ESOLAR, INC. · US

Inventors

• Quoc Pham · Los Angeles, US
• Christian T. Gregory · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Michael Slack · South Pasadena, US
• Bill Gross · Pasadena, US
• Dan Reznik · New York, US
• Porter Arbogast · Fort Collins, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 26, 2008
• Grant date: Feb 25, 2014
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/52
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A solar power plant includes central receiver modules arranged in a regular pattern. Each central receiver module includes a tower, a central receiver mounted on the tower, and a heliostat array bounded by a polygon. The heliostat array includes heliostats with mirrors for reflecting sunlight to the central receiver. The heliostats are grouped in linear rows and each of the rows is parallel to another row. The locations of the heliostats are staggered between adjacent rows. The power plant also includes a power block for aggregating power from the central receivers and power conduits for transferring power from the central receivers to the power block.