... Solar reflectors for concentrating solar power are exposed to harsh operational conditions for the duration of their operational life [ 1 , 2 ]. With the mirrors alone representing anywhere from 10% to 50% [ 2 ] of the plant installation cost, modeling their durability and optical performance...

... mechanical properties. In addition to increasing the solar transmittance, it is equally important that the AR film is long-term stable for its application in solar collectors. In this sense, the objective of our work has been to develop a film that exhibits good AR properties and physical durability as well...

... dollars) when manufactured in large volumes. Durability testing of a variety of candidate solar reflector materials at outdoor test sites and in laboratory accelerated weathering chambers is the main activity within the Advanced Materials task of the CSP Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory...

... is deposited by ion-beam-assisted physical vapor deposition (IBAD). Materials undergoing testing demonstrate excellent durability under accelerated and outdoor weathering. To help commercialize the technology, NREL had a cost analysis performed incorporating realistic web coating assumptions and the technical...