Abstract

The Linear Fresnel reflector is a promising solar concentrating technology for industrial process heat applications. This study optimizes key solar field geometric parameters to maximize optical efficiency and determines optimal system size based on solar multiple and tea factory thermal energy demand. The optimized solar field is integrated into a dynamic simulation model that analyzes hourly performance, incorporating steam storage and fuelwood hybridization for continuous supply. Economic performance is evaluated using simple payback period, levelized cost of heat, net present value and internal rate of return. The optimal configuration - receiver height of 4.4 m, mirror width of 0.5 m, mirror row spacing of 0.2 m - achieves a maximum 66.28% optical efficiency. A solar multiple of 2.25 provides 14 hours of storage, yielding average solar fractions of 0.5915 and 0.3853 during high and low irradiance months, respectively. The hybrid system reduces annual woodlot consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 48.84%.