BCS Data: Beam Shape Variation Across Time

The Equinox data set contains over 100,000 Beam Characterization System (BCS) images collected at the Sandia National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) heliostat field. Images were captured from near sunrise to near-sunset, for multiple days spanning the solar year. The resulting images show the stark variation in beam shape that can occur as sun incidence angle changes. The image sequence below is for heliostat 5W09, with time of day increasing from left to right. The top image shows a simple ray trace visualization. The bottom row shows the raw BCS images, while the middle row shows corresponding computer analysis.

BCS Data: Beam Shape Variation Across Time

The image sequence below is for heliostat 5W09, with time of day increasing from left to right. The top image shows a simple ray trace visualization. The bottom row shows the raw BCS images, while the middle row shows corresponding computer analysis.

Click image to enlarge

Location

OpenCSP_Box: OpenCSP_Data/Sandia_BCS_Survey_1

Status

Posted and documented

Documentation

• R. C. Brost, A. Evans, Kevin Good, Luis Garcia Maldonado. Equinox Data Set Analysis. Sandia National Laboratories presentation SAND2023-09606PE, September 18, 2023.
• R. C. Brost, A. Evans, and T. Larkin. Variation in Reflected Beam Shape and Pointing Accuracy Over Time and Heliostat Field Position. SolarPACES 2023, Sydney, Australia, October 2023.
• J. W. Strachan. Revisiting the BCS, a Measurement System for Characterizing the Optics of Solar Collectors. Sandia Technical Report SAND92-2789C, 1992.