Çelik, O. and McInnes, C. (2023) A generic three-dimensional model for solar energy reflected from mirrors in circular orbits. Advances in Space Research, 72(11), pp. 5047-5069. (doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2023.09.046)
![[img]](https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
307004.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 3MB |
Abstract
Orbiting solar reflectors may be a useful assets to illuminate solar power farms to enhance their utility when direct sunlight is not available. The assessment of their feasibility for a variety of applications requires accurate calculations of how much solar energy can be delivered from a variety of orbits. This paper presents a generic, three-dimensional semi-analytical model that outputs the quantity of solar energy for a given circular orbit and solar power farm position at the beginning of a pass. The model extends previous studies by including new phenomena such as the Earth’s oblateness, rotation, shadow on the reflector and orbit around the Sun, in addition to time-dependent geometric and atmospheric losses. These additions provide new analytical insights into the delivery of reflected solar energy delivery and demonstrate the importance of high-fidelity modelling. The strengths of the model are illustrated for a 1000 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit throughout, as well as a range of other orbits and solar power farms located at different latitudes and longitudes.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 883730). CRM is also supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Chair in Emerging Technologies scheme. |
| Keywords: | Space-based solar energy, orbiting solar reflectors, mathematical modelling. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Celik, Dr Onur and McInnes, Professor Colin |
| Authors: | Çelik, O., and McInnes, C. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy |
| Journal Name: | Advances in Space Research |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0273-1177 |
| Published Online: | 26 September 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright: © 2023 COSPAR |
| First Published: | First published in Advances in Space Research 72(11): 5047-5069 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information