A parabolic trough is a device that collects sunlight and converts it into energy using a reflective collector tube and storage device. It is designed to follow the path of the sun and can be made of treated glass or other reflective materials. The technology relies on the reflective quality of the panels and their positioning relative to the Dewar tube. The alignment is normally on a north/south axis, but an east/west configuration is also used in some stationary troughs. Other types of parabolic troughs are used for farming and agriculture, and some have curved panels that surround a focal point.
A parabolic trough is a specialized device designed to collect sunlight and convert it into energy through the use of a collector tube and storage device. A parabolic trough collector is normally constructed of treated glass or other highly reflective materials to allow as much sunlight to be absorbed as possible. Furthermore, they are often equipped with mechanical arms which will allow the parabolic channel to follow the path of the sun throughout the day in order to maximize the possible absorption efficiency. After sunlight strikes the mirror-like surface, it is reflected back to a Dewar tube and absorbed, then transmitted to a battery source or turbine to create electricity.
The technology behind making an effective parabolic trough is the reflective quality of the actual panels and their positioning relative to the Dewar tube. The parabolic collector is normally positioned in the center of the curved, reflective paneling so that it can absorb the sun’s rays from many different angles simultaneously, eliminating the need for a more complex design. The panels themselves are normally quite large and are constructed in one solid piece.
The alignment of a parabolic trough is normally on a north/south axis to maximize daily sun exposure, and the mechanized features that are installed upon them to track the sun’s natural path are usually fully automated. This means that during the early morning hours, the parabolic trough will face nearly east and end the day facing west. A timer allows the unit to make adjustments throughout the day and the timer is usually very accurate and only needs to be adjusted once a year.
An east/west configuration is also used in some of the stationary parabolic troughs. This reduces efficiency but allows them to be placed in areas where other options may not be available. These units are manually adjusted during the vernal equinox and autumnal equinox to maximize daily sunlight exposure. They can capture 30 to 60 percent of a satellite dish that uses a motorized north/south setup, so a fixed channel’s popularity is limited.
Other types of parabolic troughs are used for farming and agriculture, and some have curved panels that surround a particular focal point. Reflector panels in all dish channels were once made primarily of glass, but this type of configuration was difficult to operate due to excess weight and manufacturing complications. Silver and other alloys have been implemented in the making of parabolic troughs and these designs are much lighter and can rival the efficiency of even the more expensive standard parabolic troughs.
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