Easily Assembled Reflector for Solar Concentrators

Abstract

Reflectors for concentrating solar collectors are assembled quickly and inexpensively by method that employs precontoured supports, plastic film, and adhesive to form a segmented glass mirror. New method is self-focusing, and does not require skilled labor at any stage. Contoured ribs support film and mirror segments of reflector. Nine mirror segments are bonded to sheet. Combined mirror surface closely approximates a spherical surface with a radius of curvature of 36 inches (0.91 m).