Overview
As part of ME 328, I designed an efficient and economical solar concentrator that could be easily built by communities in need of low-cost energy solutions.
My Contributions
- Contributed a full SolidWorks CAD model of the concentrator assembly
- Performed design calculations for focal length, reflector geometry, and thermal output
- Optimized the design for manufacturability using locally available materials
Design Process
The concentrator uses a parabolic reflector to focus sunlight onto a receiver at the focal point. Key design constraints included low material cost, ease of fabrication, and sufficient thermal output for cooking or water heating applications.
Results
The final design achieved the target concentration ratio while remaining within the cost and fabrication constraints set by the project brief.