Evaluation of parabolic trough collectors and the linear Fresnel lens focuser collector in terms of design and use

The beginning of the depletion of the reserves of fossil resources accelerated the orientation to alternative energy sources. Solar energy, wind energy, hydraulic energy are some of those alternative energy source with solar being the most widely used renewable in the world. Concentrated solar energy systems are used in the fields of heating and electricity today and these systems are divided into linear concentrators and point concentrators. In this study, the similarities and differences between the parabolic trough collector and the linear Fresnel lens focuser collector in linear concentrators were investigated in terms of design and use and the appropriate working areas were determined. Parabolic trough systems are the most used collector type among thermal solar energy systems while linear Fresnel systems are less efficient than parabolic trough systems since they follow the sun from a single axis and focus linearly. In solar thermal energy systems, the concentration ratio is considered for the rays coming from the sun. The efficiency of thermal solar energy systems with a high concentration rate is also high. The places where parabolic trough systems and linear Fresnel systems are used are the same but the use of parabolic trough systems, which are high in terms of system efficiency, is more common while linear Fresnel systems are less costly. Installation of parabolic trough systems requires more area than that of the linear Fresnel systems.