Multi-Tower Line Focus Fresnel Array Available to Purchase

As an alternative to conventional tracking trough systems, one may use line focus Fresnel reflector systems. Before the current Australian work, each field of Fresnel reflectors was directed to a single tower. However, efficient systems of very high ground utilisation can be set up if a field of reflectors uses multiple receivers on different towers (Mills and Morrison, 1999). This paper describes an Australian line focus system, called the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) system and a project to produce an initial 25MWe solar array. The array will be used as a retrofit preheater for a coal fired generating plant. Future use of such arrays as stand alone high capacity factor powerplants in New South Wales are discussed.