Heliostat Fields: A Classical Approach to Analysis and Layout Optimization

Shanley Lutchman (MEng) is a private consultant specializing in concentrating solar power, energy management and mechanical engineering design. In Heliostat Fields, Lutchman demonstrates, firstly, a heliostat field analysis method based on foundational principles of geometry and optics. He then demonstrates that common methods of heliostat field layout optimization can be improved upon by performing what he calls the “free variable method” of heliostat field layout optimization. Using this method, based on classical optimization techniques, Lutchman has been able to improve the performance of the commercial PS10 field by over 1000 MWh in annual intercepted energy.