Improved in situ performance testing of line-concentrating solar collectors: Comprehensive uncertainty analysis for the selection of measurement instrumentation

With the objective of simplifying the selection of measurement instrumentation, we present an elaborate methodology and comprehensive case study concerning the uncertainty calculation of line-concentrating solar collectors. The assessment of the suitability of measurement instrumentation is conducted based on two operational reference cases. These cases adequately cover the complete range of collector types and operating conditions typically involved in the field of line-concentrating solar collectors. The analysis is designed such that the results are also transferable to other testing situations, which are not specifically studied within this publication. The presented systematic uncertainty case study thus serves as a guideline for the selection of appropriate measurement instrumentation, providing useful indications for every testing and certification entity dedicated to the planning and execution of significant and reliable collector performance testing. The associated risk decrease of performance testing is essential for the further development and economic aspects of concentrating solar technology.