Shadowing and blocking effect optimization for a variable geometry heliostat field

Abstract

Optimization software is currently a key tool when designing heliostat fields. Shadowing, blocking, atmospheric attenuation, spillage and cosine effect losses can be hugely minimized with proper use of this tool, so they are widely used in this field of work. However, variable geometry is a ground breaking concept that is only recently been researched, and existing optimization software for conventional heliostat fields perform poorly when applied to this new concept, due to the fact that they do not use the advantages that it provides. The code here presented explores this idea to fully exploit the capabilities of variable geometry heliostat fields.