Conversion of parabolic trough mirror shape results measured in different laboratory setups

• A method to convert shape results measured in different setups is demonstrated.
• Characteristic deformation is determined by optical measurements and FE analyses.
• The developed finite element models of mirror and support frame are validated.
• Converted and measured values differ by less than 0.2 mrad (rms slope deviation).

Shape accuracy of mirror panels for parabolic trough solar collectors has a significant impact on the optical performance of the collectors in a solar power plant and is therefore carefully assessed by test laboratories and manufacturers. Relevant deformation is induced by gravity or mounting forces, so that shape accuracy data measured in different setups cannot be compared.This paper presents a method for conversion of shape measured in a vertical laboratory setup into data for a horizontal laboratory setup. Characteristic deformation matrices for parabolic trough mirror panels of RP3 geometry are determined by deflectometric shape measurements on various mirror panels and by validated finite element analyses (FEA).The resulting root mean square (rms) of measured slope deviation difference (i.e. the gravity induced deformation) between vertical and horizontal setup is on average 2.4 mrad for inner mirrors and 1.25 mrad for outer mirrors loosely positioned on a frame.Measured data from vertical setup, transformed by such characteristic deformation matrices into horizontal shape results, differ by less than 0.2 mrad in rms slope deviation value from data measured in horizontal setup. Whereas the presented approach to convert shape accuracy measurement results is suitable for the calculation of rms values, some of the analyzed mirror samples show differences in local slope deviation values larger than the deflectometric measurement uncertainty. The amount of deviation depends on details of the accuracy of the positioning of the mirrors on the measurement frame and is affected by the fixation and associated mounting forces at the pads.