Rugged, collapsible solar concentration devices to support tactical alternative energy production

Small tactical military operations need to reduce fuel consumption, operational costs, and the need for logistics fuel resupply in the field. One method to accomplish these goals is to have the military units use a renewable energy source that is portable and clean. A good source of renewable energy is solar thermal energy. Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) solar-to-electric conversion is particularly efficient with a net average annual yield ranging between 18 and 23%. Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology is currently being used worldwide at fixed power plants. This solar concentrator/solar conversion device configuration must generate 3-5 kW of electric power, Operate predictably and efficiently after repeated deployments in a demanding environment, have dual-axis control to capture maximum solar energy, and be easy to assemble and disassemble and mount onto a Light Tactical Trailer (LTT). The objective of this proposal is to take the existing CSP technology, which is currently being used at power plants, and use that information to develop a tactically-mobile, deployable/stow-able solar concentrator for use with solar conversion devices to help small military units capitalize on the advantages of solar thermal energy.