Development of a multi-layer and multi-dish model for the multi-dish solar energy concentrator system

•Revise the design parameters for a multi-dishes concentrator system.•Develop a model to calculate the designing of a multi-dishes concentrator system.•Calculate the flux distribution at different concentration distance.

In this paper, a multi-layer and multi-dish model was proposed for a multi-dish concentrator system. Based on the model, the flux distribution of focal plane was calculated by Monte Carlo ray tracing method (MCRTM). The results show that the multi-dish concentrator system is composed of three different focal length parabolic surfaces. The design parameters calculated from the model have a good concentration ratio, and pointing error has a significant effect on the flux distribution. The concentration ratio obtained from the proposed model results in an optimal flux distribution for the design concentration distance, and an increase or decrease in the concentration distance decreases the peak flux distribution of the focal plane.