Discover the world's largest solar concentrator, 'SG4 Big Dish', powering hospitals in India with clean solar energy. Know more!
The largest and most efficient solar concentrator of the world to power a hospital and a research center with solar energy generated. The impressive facility will produce steam for multiple applications, as well as electricity for air conditioning units.
To maximize irradiance performance, engineers are aligning the 26-ton concentrator with the sun's path using data from Kipp & Zonen's RaZON+ solar tracker.
The Technology Behind the Solar Giant
The concentrator, known as the “SG4 Big Dish”, has an impressive reflective area of around 500 m², made up of 380 parabolic mirrors. These mirrors concentrate sunlight onto a thermal collector located at their focal point, which basically works like a pan for boiling water or other fluids.
Maximizing Efficiency with Solar Tracking Technology
One of the keys to the success of this project is accurate tracking of the sun to harness the greatest amount of solar energy, using Kipp & Zonen's RaZON+ OTT HydroMet system. This device allows you to align the 'Big Dish' with the sun's path, ensuring maximum capture of direct solar radiation.
The “SG4 Big Dish” is not only a technological marvel for its size and efficiency, but also for its tangible impact. It is capable of generating 400 kg of steam per hour, enough to cook 2.000 meals per day, as well as meeting the hospital's laundry and sterilization needs. Furthermore, this steam is also used to generate electricity through a turbine.
Challenges and Solutions on the Path to Solar Energy
Despite advances, there are challenges such as cloud movement, which can significantly affect the amount of solar radiation received, and, as a consequence, the amount of solar energy generated. Therefore, it is crucial to have systems that monitor this phenomenon and adjust the concentrator's operation according to these variations.
Choosing the Right Solar Tracking System
OTT HydroMet offers a variety of solar tracking systems, with Kipp & Zonen's RaZON+ being an option that stands out for its reliability and accuracy. This system not only measures direct, global and diffuse solar irradiation, but can also be expanded into a complete weather station.
This project represents not only a technological advance, but also a model to follow in the search for sustainable and efficient solutions for energy needs, using solar energy. With initiatives like this, the path to a greener and more sustainable future becomes increasingly clear.
Source: sunrisecsp.com
