Simulation of Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plant Performance (SOLSAD)

Today solar thermal electricity generation considering environmental issues is given a serious attention worldwide. Since Iran is situated within northern hemisphere sun bell, it seems necessary to simulate the performance of various elements of solar thermal power plant cycle. In this paper , at first all maJor elements of a parabolic trough thermal cycle are analyzed by using mass & energy conservation laws and the second law of thermodynamics. Then the behavior of such system is studied with the help of SOLSAD software. SOLSAD is capable of incorporating olar collectors parameters such as solar intensity, geometry, aptics and also design parameters of thermodynamic cycle.With implementation of this software, major characteristics of parabolic trough power plant such as overall efficiency and the effects of environmental parameters on the plant performance may precisely analyzed.