CSP instrumentation for the field
ZEPREN develops and manufactures advanced CSP instrumentation for the field. Our test & measurement instruments are based on proprietary and licensed technologies to enable a precise and reliable monitoring of the optical performance in the solar field.
The world is more and more sustainable, green energy investments are present everywhere, and solar energy is a key factor. Photovoltaic and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) are the two main technologies worldwide. Today we can see oil companies investing in CSP start-ups or airports purchasing aviation fuel from solar thermal companies.
Why test equipment in the solar field?
Concentrated solar power plants are complex systems relying on the individual performance of multiple optical elements (heliostats, receiver tubes…) and the precise prediction of environmental factors (soiling, atmospheric attenuation, weather…). Plant owners, that have invested huge amounts of money, and operation and maintenance (O&M) companies, that have to make the plants meet and exceed their energy levels target, should verify each of these factors.
Our value proposition
ZEPREN develops and manufactures advanced CSP instrumentation for the field.
Our test & measurement instruments are based on proprietary and licensed technologies to enable a precise and reliable monitoring of the optical performance in the solar field
More than 25 Concentrated Solar Power plants trust us to monitor the cleanliness and efficiency of their plants..
Markets & Applications
- Heliostat degradation monitoring.
- Water & Fuel Consumption optimization for Cleaning companies.
- Atmospheric attenuation monitoring.
- Monitor the evolution of External glass tube’s transmittance.
- Monitor the evolution of Internal absorber tube’s absorbance.
- Heliostat degradation monitoring.
- Linear Fresnel reflector.
- Concentrating Solar Heat plants (CSH).
- Combined Heat and Power solar plants (CHP).
CONDOR - Heliostat reflectance measurement
CONDOR measures heliostat reflectance of the solar spectrum (ISO9050 and ASTM-G173 standards). It can measure flat or curved mirrors, and different thicknesses of glass. It is designed to work outdoors without influence of the ambient light in the measurements. The instrument is robust and stands intense field use in harsh conditions.
CONDOR provides you with the necessary information to optimize the cleaning strategy, minimizing cost and improving the solar field overall performance. Solar plants and laboratories all over the world use CONDOR daily.
INCUS - Receiver tube characterization in the field
INCUS is a receiver tube solar spectrophotometer that measures outer tube transmittance and inner tube reflectance. Since INCUS design is ergonomic and robust and allows use in any orientation it is perfect for field use. Another key point is its long battery life (more than 400 measurements with a single charge). Also, it can tag measurements with GPS location data. INCUS implements ISO9050 and ASTM-G173 standards.
INCUS brings optical characterization of the receiver tubes in CSP through plants to the field, helping O&M activities such as the control of the decrease of the soiling ratio to determine the cleaning cycles.
ATMOS - Atmospheric attenuation monitoring
ATMOS is an atmospheric attenuation measurement system developed for CSP tower plants.It works autonomously, measuring the atmospheric transmittance value in real time.
ATMOS measurement is based on optical spectrum analysis, which allows to distinguish the origin of the attenuation. The system is based on a target screen that reflects sun radiation. Then, two telescopic optical devices measure the spectrum of the reflected radiation and calculate the attenuation of the differential path. The system wavelength range is 400-1630 nm.
CSP Instrumentation
To learn more about our CSP instrumentation.