Solar Trough Performance Evaluation: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-08-00289

New HCEs were installed on the hot sides of the thermal loops at SEGS VIII and IX from mid-2007 to mid-2008. Due to significant increases in plant performance, an interest in a further increase performance by installing new HCEs on the cold portions of the loop developed. Although it was assumed that the plant performance would increase, the exact amount was unknown. The objective of this projectwas to estimate the performance improvements with new HCEs installed on the cold sides of the loop, with performance being evaluated as potential increases in electrical power production (megawatt-hours). A comparison of performance prior to and post installation of new HCEs on the hot sides of the loops was done. For completeness, an estimate of performance losses - such as the opticalefficiency, mirror reflectivity, and optical accuracy - was also included in this analysis. National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) HCE Survey System was used to determine if the HCEs were hot or cold.