Roosendaal, CaseySwanepoel, Jonathan KyleLe Roux, Willem Gabriel2021-08-302021-08-302020-08Roosendaal, C., Swanepoel, J.K. & Le Roux, W.G. 2020, 'Performance analysis of a novel solar concentrator using lunar flux mapping techniques', Solar Energy, vol. 206, pp. 200-215.0038-092X10.1016/j.solener.2020.05.050http://hdl.handle.net/2263/81532One of the most important issues faced today with regards to solar concentrators is the trade-off between cost and optical accuracy. In this paper, a new design aims to reduce costs while maintaining high optical accuracy with the added benefit of optical adjustability. This is accomplished by manufacturing individual facets out of commercially-available television satellite dishes with aluminised plastic film to form a multifaceted vacuum membrane concentrator. The lightweight facets were affixed to a modular support structure in a hexagonal honeycomb arrangement and in the profile of a paraboloid, where each facet could be adjusted individually. Two different concentrator sizes with global diameters of 1.6 m and 4.98 m were constructed and tested. Testing took place during the full moon phase using a Canon EOS 700D camera with no added equipment. Images of the flux were captured and were treated for the effect of city light pollution. With the use of normalised flux maps, the peak solar concentration ratios of the large and small dish setups were calculated to be 1438 and 539 respectively. The design, therefore, proved to be a viable design alternative for point focus solar concentrators to reduce costs and maintain optical accuracy. Furthermore, the lunar flux mapping techniques proved effective and safe, by using the incident light from the moon and standard camera equipment.en© 2020 International Solar Energy Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Solar Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Solar Energy, vol. 206, pp. 200-215, 2020. doi : 10.1016/j.solener.2020.05.050.LunarVacuum membraneFlux mappingMultifacetedSolar dishEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-07SDG-07: Affordable and clean energyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionPostprint Article