Performance Estimation of Copper-Free Solar Reflectors

Abstract

Copper (Cu) has been an essential ingredient in the production of silvered-glass reflectors used in the concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. However, due to added material cost and the environmental burden induced by Cu mining, researchers have started to look for ways to develop copper-free coating systems for reflectors used in solar thermal applications. In this study, we employed accelerated aging tests to obtain the aging characteristics of reflectors with and without Cu and exposed reflectors outside for natural aging. Samples were subjected to Copper Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray (CASS), Ultraviolet-Humidity (UVH) and UV tests, and the changes in the hemispherical and specular reflectance were measured and compared.