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Solar Concentrator Training System 

The Solar Concentrator Training System is a compact and modular experimental platform designed to replicate the functionality of a solar parabolic trough collector–based water heating system. This solar power concentrator setup comprises parabolic reflectors, absorber tubes, a sun-tracking mechanism, piping, storage tanks, and a control panel. The system enables hands-on learning and in-depth research in solar thermal technologies using a laboratory-scale solar concentrator configuration. Its adaptability to different working fluids, absorber materials, insulation thicknesses, and storage configurations makes this solar power concentrator system highly suitable for educational institutions and research laboratories studying heat-transfer dynamics and efficiency variations in solar concentrator–based thermal systems under diverse operating conditions. 

Key Features

  • Dual-Axis Sun Tracking Mechanism: Ensures optimal solar energy capture by continuously aligning the parabolic reflector with the sun’s position, improving optical efficiency in the solar concentrator throughout the day.
  • Versatile Absorber Tubes: Equipped with two absorber tubes compatible with different materials such as copper and stainless steel, enabling comparative thermal studies within a controlled solar concentrator environment.
  • Flexible Working Fluid Options: Supports experimentation with water and thermal oils, allowing performance comparison in a solar concentrator operating under varied heat-transfer conditions.
  • Adjustable Flow Rates: Enables systematic variation of fluid flow to analyze its effect on heat absorption efficiency in the solar concentrator loop.
  • Modular Storage Tanks: Includes two stainless steel tanks, one with an integrated heat exchanger, supporting thermal storage experiments linked to solar concentrator output.
  • Comprehensive Measurement Panel: Provides real-time monitoring of temperature, pressure, flow rate, solar radiation, and wind speed for accurate performance analysis of the solar concentrator system.
  • Indoor Experimentation Capability: Allows controlled laboratory experiments using artificial light sources, extending solar concentrator research beyond weather-dependent outdoor conditions.
  • Data Logging with GUI: A graphical interface supports real-time visualization and data logging for detailed analysis of solar concentrator performance trends.
Ecosense

Learning Module 

Ecosense

Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Trough Collector Systems

  • Analyze overall thermal efficiency (η) in a solar concentrator.
  • Evaluate heat removal factor (FR) under varying operating conditions.
  • Determine heat loss coefficient (UL) using real-time experimental data.

This module helps students understand how solar irradiance, inlet fluid temperature, and ambient conditions affect energy output in a solar power concentrator–based parabolic trough system.

Working Fluid, Flow Rate, and Thermal Storage Analysis

  • Compare thermal performance of water and thermal oil in a solar concentrator.
  • Study the influence of fluid flow-rate variation on heat absorption.
  • Evaluate thermal storage behavior using modular tanks with and without heat exchangers.

This module emphasizes practical optimization of solar concentrator operating parameters.

Environmental and Structural Optimization Experiments

  • Analyze the effect of insulation thickness on heat retention.
  • Study inlet fluid temperature impact on solar concentrator responsiveness.
  • Evaluate wind speed and ambient losses affecting solar power concentrator efficiency.
  • Conduct indoor experiments using artificial illumination to ensure repeatability.

Technical Description

  • The Solar Concentrator Training System is designed to demonstrate concentrated solar thermal energy conversion using a laboratory-scale parabolic trough solar concentrator.
  • A precision-engineered parabolic reflector focuses direct solar radiation along the focal line, achieving high solar flux concentration for efficient thermal energy collection.
  • The system incorporates two independent receiver (absorber) tubes positioned along the focal axis of the solar concentrator.
  • One receiver tube is configured for water heating experiments, enabling the study of sensible heat gain, temperature rise, and overall thermal efficiency.
  • The second receiver tube is dedicated to thermal oil heating, supporting higher operating temperatures relevant to advanced solar power concentrator and CSP-related studies.
  • An automatic dual-axis sun-tracking mechanism continuously aligns the solar concentrator with the sun’s position to minimize optical losses and maintain consistent energy input.
  • Separate circulation pumps, flow control valves, and insulated piping are provided for each heating loop, allowing independent and parallel operation.
  • Integrated temperature sensors, flow meters, and solar irradiation sensors enable real-time monitoring of solar concentrator performance parameters.
  • The system supports comparative analysis of water and thermal oil as heat transfer media, linking theoretical concepts with practical solar concentrator operation.
Ecosense

Technical Specifications 

Ecosense

Heat Generating & Collection Unit


ParametersSpecifications
Concentrator TypeParabolic Trough Collector
Reflector MaterialAcrylic mirror
Collector Length1219.2 mm
Arc Length1828.8 mm
Absorber Tubes2 (Water & Thermal Oil)

* specifications can be customized as per user's requirement

Thermal Storage & Fluid Circuit


ParametersSpecifications
Working FluidsWater and Thermo-Oil
Storage Tanks2 Nos. (One with heat exchanger)
Tank MaterialStainless Steel
PumpsHot water pump & Hot oil pump
InsulationConfigurable insulation thickness

* specifications can be customized as per user's requirement

Control, Instrumentation & Accessories


ParametersSpecifications
Sun TrackingDual Axis
Temperature MeasurementDigital temperature sensors
Flow MeasurementInline flow meter with regulator
Solar Radiation Meter0–1999 W/m² range
Wind Speed Measurement0.4–45 m/s anemometer

* specifications can be customized as per user's requirement

Real world impact across Campuses

Recent Installations

Solar PV, Solar Thermal & Wind Energy Lab Installation at MANIT Bhopal

Solar PV, Solar Thermal & Wind Energy Lab Installation at MANIT Bhopal

November 27, 2025

Ecosense installed an integrated Solar PV, Solar Thermal, and Wind Energy Laboratory at MANIT Bhopal, enabling hands-on training and applied...
Ecosense installs Solar Concentrator Training System at IIT Kanpur

Ecosense installs Solar Concentrator Training System at IIT Kanpur

November 9, 2023

Recognizing the critical need for sustainable energy solutions to combat environmental issues and depleting fossil fuels, IIT Kanpur has set...
Ecosense installed a Solar Concentrator Training system at NIT Jamshedpur.

Ecosense installed a Solar Concentrator Training system at NIT Jamshedpur.

January 19, 2024

NIT Jamshedpur is one of the most sought-after engineering colleges in India. It was established with the vision to be...

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Frequently Asked Questions

A solar concentrator focuses direct normal irradiance onto a small-area multi-junction solar cell using reflective or refractive optics. The high solar flux increases cell output, while heat sinks or active cooling maintain cell temperature. This approach achieves very high electrical efficiency but requires precise sun tracking and clear-sky conditions.

The concentrator focuses sunlight onto a thermal receiver coupled to a Stirling engine hot end. The absorbed heat creates a temperature gradient that drives the engine’s piston, converting thermal energy directly into mechanical motion and then electricity via a generator. This method offers high conversion efficiency and quiet operation.

Concentrated sunlight heats a receiver tube at the focal line. A working fluid (water or thermal oil) circulates through the tube, absorbs heat, and transfers it to storage tanks or heat exchangers. This thermal energy can be used for process heating, experimentation, or downstream power generation.

It enables high-temperature operation, supports multiple energy conversion pathways, offers dual working fluids, provides precise instrumentation, and allows controlled experimentation on efficiency, heat loss, and tracking—ideal for teaching and research.

It depends on direct sunlight, requires accurate tracking, has higher mechanical complexity than flat collectors, and needs outdoor installation space with clear solar access.

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