Heliostat size optimization for central receiver solar power plants

Abstract: This chapter presents a parametric analysis of heliostat cost as a function of area for a representative solar central receiver power plant. Results show that heliostats in the range of approximately 25 to 40 m2 have a substantially lower cost per unit area than the current base line 148 m2 heliostat considered by the US Department of Energy (DOE), based on their cost data. The analysis is based on allocating costs into three categories: a constant cost per unit area; a cost per unit area that is dependent on the imposed load on the structure, drive units, etc., as a function of area; and a cost that is essentially fixed, irrespective of heliostat size.