Technology
Components
Receiver
Our proprietary receiver utilizes low-cost, readily available, traditional silicon solar cells. The design incorporates thermal management with a simple passive heat sink approach. With our modular receiver design, as more efficient solar cells become commercially viable, the existing solar cells can be easily replaced. This is a highly cost-efficient way to upgrade system performance and in turn extends the life-cycle of the equipment.
Reflector
Our solar reflector design employs a lightweight and durable reflecting system that concentrates sunlight along a diffuse band rather than a sharp line, providing optimum concentration levels for photovoltaic cells capable of operating at 10 to 50 times solar irradiance.
Frame
Because the reflectors need minimal rear support to maintain their figure, the demands on the supporting truss-work are reduced. Our design uses standard aluminum sections assembled into prefabricated trusses. The assembly has been structurally modeled under gravity and wind loads up to hurricane force (100+ mph).
Dual-axis tracking drive
MegaWatt Solar has developed an inexpensive and low-maintenance, friction-driven dual-axis tracker capable of driving 400 ft lb of torque on each axis. The tracker tracks the sun with a precision of +/- 0.5 degrees, and offers field-proven reliability. This approach optimizes the ability to capture the sun throughout the day; especially during times of peak utility loads.
Control system
Our standards-compliant, SCADA-ready control system is fully interoperable with power industry control systems, enabling performance monitoring, failure detection, and a secure web server for access to system configuration and diagnostics.