Abstract
A promising low-cost reflector material for solar concentrating power (CSP) generation is a silvered substrate protected by an alumina coating several microns thick. The alumina hard coat is deposited under high vacuum by ion-beam-assisted-deposition (IBAD). Samples of this material have been produced both by batch and continuous roll-coating processes. The substrate materials investigated werepolyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET laminated to stainless-steel foil, and chrome-plated carbon steel strip. The advantage of steel strip compared to PET is that it withstands a higher process temperature and lowers the final product installation costs. In this paper, we compare the durability of batch and roll-coated reflective materials with an alumina deposition rate as high as 10 nm/s. Ingeneral, the durability of the samples is found to be excellent. Comparisons between accelerated and outdoor exposure testing results indicate that these front-surface mirrors are more susceptible to weather conditions not simulated by accelerated tests (i.e., rain, sleet, snow, etc.) than other types of solar reflectors. For long-term durability, edge protection will be necessary, anddurability could be improved by the addition of an adhesion-promoting layer between the silver and alumina.
Original language | American English |
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Number of pages | 12 |
State | Published - 2002 |
Event | 2002 AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference, 16th International Vacuum Web Coating Conference - Sedona, Arizona Duration: 21 Oct 2002 → 23 Oct 2002 |
Conference
Conference | 2002 AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference, 16th International Vacuum Web Coating Conference |
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City | Sedona, Arizona |
Period | 21/10/02 → 23/10/02 |
Bibliographical note
Prepared for the 2002 AIMCAL Fall Technical Conference, 16th International Vacuum Web Coating Conference, 21-23 October 2002, Sedona, ArizonaNREL Publication Number
- NREL/CP-520-32824
Keywords
- accelerated testing
- alumina hard coat
- cage protection
- concentrating solar power (CSP)
- durability
- ion-beam-assisted deposition
- low-cost
- polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- PV
- reflector material