A short while ago SkyFuel revealed their reflector technology, based on mirror film instead of the conventional glass mirrors – the ReflecTech™. As solar towers, dishes and other solar thermal technology solutions for electricity production, rather than parabolic troughs – are not in commercial stage yet – the importance of developing cheaper, but not less efficient and stable solutions for the trough based technology – is crucial. . SkyFuel solution really looks promising and could be a significant step towards reducing production costs, mainly due to lighter support frame required (much less material and faster assembly process) and reduction in trough replacement costs. The ReflecTech™ mirror film is a silver-based metallized polymer film reflector, which was developed by NREL. SF is laminating the ReflecTech™ to an aluminum substrate to form a rigid reflective surface, and has designed an aluminum space frame to support the reflector, as well as control, drive and tracking system.
As much as we think that the ReflecTech is unique and contributes to lower production and installation costs and lower O&M costs of the solar field (although not necessarily higher efficiencies, durability, availability and performance), the space frame and the tracking system – are not something that others cannot do (or already doing). The space frame, as opposed to a torque-tube, that is still being used by Solel and was in use by LUZ – is naturally lighter (we may guess 30% less from the 10 Tonns required for the metal support structure of a similar glass mirror) and it was designed for erection in the field, inorder to obtain the required optical performance of the trough.. Also their solar tracking system enjoys some advantages comparing to the systems used in SEGS, probably with lower costs and increased precision, but we have to remember that their competitors have also developed enhanced tracking systems. We assume that SF does not enjoy any performance advantage in this respect, beside its ability to design the tracking system in-house and probably with lower costs.
SF did not reveal (yet?) performance tests based on the 6 years experience of the ReflecTech operating in the Mojave Desert under changing daily conditions and different operation modes, as well as the accelerated weather testing. However, unless we receive something conclusive that contradict this, we may assume that at the best scenario SF solar field will have similar thermal output (although probably worthier durability) compared to existing reflectors, but we have to remember that they are using non-breakable reflector design (is it rigid enough for the long run – should be seen); predicted lower O&M costs, faster assembly process and may enjoy significant cost reduction in the support structure and reflectors. And not less important: It seems that SF has supporting staff to enable them to carry out the work of designing a solar field, supervising the construction of it and train the operation staff.
