Conclusions The article analyses the performance of a catenary-tent-collector [1] (a flexible blanket that falls freely on both sides of a central support). This kind of collector has characteristics (portability and simplicity) that are desirable for solar power plants on other planets. Because of its shape, there is a self-shading effect that must be taken into account in the solar radiation calculation. Therefore, the shape and area of the shadow on the collector is calculated and used in the determination of the beam radiation. The diffuse and albedo radiation were also calculated to determine the global radiation on the collector. The numerical example is based on solar radiation data on Mars. Nomenclature A Collector area, [m2] Ash shaded area of a collector, [m2] Aush unshaded area of a collector, [m] D length of the collector, [m] FA G view factor of area A with respect to ground FA s view factor of area A with respect to sky FdA s view factor of incremental area dA with respect to sky Gb direct beam irradiance, [W/m2] Gdh diffuse irradiance on a horizontal surface, [W/m2] Gh global irradiance on a horizontal surface, [W/m2] H height of collector, [m] k catenary constant L collector width, [m] Ls areocentric longitude of the sun (for Mars) Pal albedo irradiance, [W] Pb direct beam irradiance on an unshaded side of a collector, [W] Pshb direct beam irradiance on a partially shaded side of a collector, [W] PbA, PbB direct beam irradiance on an unshaded side A and B of a collector, respectively, [W] PshbA> PshbB direct beam irradiance on a partially shaded side A and B of a collector, respectively, [W] Px, Py x and y components of a shadow length, [m] Q insolation, [kWhr-day] q insolation, [kWhr/m2-day a sun altitude yc collector azimuth ys sun azimuth Ysr sun azimuth at sunrise o solar declination angle e characteristic angle of the collector 6 angle between solar ray and the normal to the collector % relative shaded area
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