Solar tracking

Solar tracking

PCM as a support for solar tracking

The PCM may not always be applied as a thermal storage medium but can also be used as thermal actuator by means of the volume change during phase change.

Sulas Industries developed an accurate positioning of parabolic sun collectors using this PCM property: a parabolic mirror collects sun radiation in a container which is filled with PCM which then melts. The expansion during phase change leads to a movement of the collector system using a sophisticated optical system developed by Sulas Industries. This movement also repositions the parabolic mirror. The melting process is interrupted and the collector stops moving. Once the sun hits the parabolic mirror again PCM is melting and the collector is moved further. After sunset the PCM solidifies completely and the collector returns to its original position.