Introduction to Soltrace for Optical Simulation of Concentrating Solar Power Systems - Part 1

Overview of Transz Program Features

Introduction to the Transz Program

• The Transz program is highlighted as user-friendly, with a new version available for download from Google.

• Users may encounter issues with zooming in and out within the program, which can hinder usability.

Navigating Versions

• When opening the program, users are presented with options to manage files or projects.

• There are two versions available: the latest version and an older one from 2012, which may be useful for troubleshooting.

Understanding Program Functionality

Script Options and Modeling

• The script feature allows users to write code within the program; however, it has not been extensively tested by the speaker.

• The program tracks solar paths relative to collectors, essential for understanding transmission through optics.

Solar Tracking Mechanics

• Users can input parameters like specularity or surface characteristics that affect how sunlight is modeled in simulations.

• A sample project demonstrates how to set up solar tracking based on collector orientation and sun position.

Calculating Sun Position

Setting Coordinates

• Establishing a global origin point is crucial for modeling; this affects how collectors interact with sunlight.

• It’s important to ensure that height values reflect realistic distances when positioning solar elements.

Angle Calculations

• Users can calculate angles based on sun elevation and azimuth using specific coordinates related to their setup.

• Two key values (height and angle of incidence) help determine how effectively sunlight reaches collectors.

Final Considerations in Solar Modeling

Essential Parameters for Accurate Tracking

• To accurately model sun paths, three critical inputs are needed: location coordinates, day of the year (365), and atmospheric conditions.

Working with Light Intensity Models