SkyTrough®DSP – SkyFuel Inc.

SkyTroughDSP is a true revolution in parabolic trough technology, offering the lowest cost option on the market with zero compromise to quality.

DSP stands for Dispatchable Solar Power, as the technology is fully capable of using Molten Salt as its heat transfer fluid, thus reducing the cost of long-term thermal storage.

SkyTroughDSP features many industry-leading innovations that result in a durable, high-performance platform that is quick and easy to install, accelerating parabolic trough technology into the future.

Attributes:

Lowest Cost Parabolic Trough

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Molten Salt Capable

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7 Meter Aperture Width

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High Optical Efficiency

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ReflecTech^® Mirrors

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SKYTROUGH^®DSP ORIGINS – INNOVATIONS IN COST REDUCTION

SkyTroughDSP was developed at SkyFuel’s USA headquarters with initial funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative. In 2011 SkyFuel was awarded a grant as part of the SunShot program to advance parabolic trough technology with the goal of achieving 9 US cents per kWh on a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) basis; the result was SkyTroughDSP. SkyFuel Engineering has continued to develop SkyTroughDSP by working in collaboration with Chinese manufacturing experts to optimize every aspect of the design in order to reduce the cost of materials, installation and operation while maintaining exceptional optical performance. SkyTroughDSP is the lowest cost parabolic trough in the world, providing important cost reduction and profitability improvements for global CSP projects of all types.

Advantages

SkyTroughDSP has been designed to operate with thermal oil, molten salt or other high temperature novel HTFs. It has a maximum temperature capability of 400 °C when using oil and 560 °C when using molten salt. However, the technology is also ideal for medium temperature applications that demand the highest performance and lowest cost technology possible.

SkyTroughDSP is a state-of-the-art, 7.0 meter aperture parabolic trough solar collector that features even greater value than the original SkyTrough^®. The design of SkyTroughDSP builds on the innovative features pioneered and proven at SkyFuel, most notably the use of ReflecTech^® Mirror Film panels in place of heavy and fragile glass mirrors. ReflecTech makes monolithic mirror panels possible, resulting in a simple slide-in mirror process that expedites assembly and installation.

ReflecTech^®Mirror Panels

By utilizing ReflecTech-based monolithic mirrors that slide into SkyFuel’s patented parabolic track system, SkyTroughDSP revolutionizes the optical surface of parabolic troughs. This new type of mirror module offers long term durability, lower mirror material costs, higher optical efficiency, and quick & easy installation.

ReflecTech has been tested above and beyond any other mirror material used in the CSP industry. It is a proven technology that will never crack or break and is guaranteed to maintain its reflectance, even in the harshest environments found within CSP projects.

Ease of Installation

Installation of SkyTroughDSP is fast, simple and low cost. The process starts with the assembly of the steel space frame and the parabolic track system within an assembly station located directly in the solar field. There is no need for a dedicated building or expensive jigs or fixtures to align the frame and mirrors, significantly reducing the capital cost of installation.

Once assembled, the modules are attached to their pylons and tilted in a position to receive the mirror panels. The mirrors panels easily slide into place and automatically form an accurate parabolic shape. No additional mirror alignment is required. The process is then repeated for each module until the field is complete.