Lehigh University in Pennsylvania has recently installed a solar thermal concentrator on its campus. The concentrator, which has a thermal capacity of 10 kilowatt hours, will be used to power the campus and serve as a tool for student research projects. The concentrator was obtained through a partnership between Lehigh’s Energy Research Center, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and Solarflux Energy Technologies.
Solarflux, the company behind the parabolic dish concentrator, claims that it offers high energy conversion efficiency while minimizing overall system costs. The concentrator follows the movement of the sun throughout the day to maximize the collection of clean energy. Solarflux has also collaborated with Penn State University to test the concentrator technology.
The concentrator will be used for research projects focusing on high-temperature coupled solar thermal energy, thermal energy storage, and thermochemical solar water splitting for hydrogen production. Students in the renewable energy class at Lehigh University recently had the opportunity to see the concentrator in action. They learned about its design and functionality from John Fangman, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Solarflux.
This experience not only gave students a glimpse into the technology but also provided them with a practical understanding of how renewable energy systems work. The concentrator will continue to be a valuable instructional tool for future students and research projects.
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In conclusion, Lehigh University’s solar thermal concentrator is an impressive addition to its campus. It will not only help power the campus but also serve as an educational tool for students interested in renewable energy research.
