THE USA 5MW SOLAR THERMAL TEST FACILITY

ABSTRACT The worlds largest solar experimental facility will be fully operational in the spring of 1978. The Solar Thermal Test Facility is capable of delivering 5 million Watts of thermal power to experimental equipment. Two hundred twenty-two mirror assemblies (called heliostats) are used to concentrate the sun's energy to an experiment located on the 61 meter tall concrete tower. Operation at partial power of about 1.8 MW t was achieved in May of 1977. The primary STTF testing programs will involve prototype components for central receiver solar power plants.