Product

FOCUS Overview

The FOCUS is a concentrated solar power (CSP) solution which uses a patented parabolic dish concentrator design to provide clean, low-cost thermal energy.

Utilizes a unique optical design that permits axial and radial control of the focal plane, improving manufacturability and energy conversion efficiency.

Easy to install, calibrate and maintain, the FOCUS is designed for autonomous operation in challenging environments.

Designed from inception to minimize lifetime cost per unit of energy delivered, the FOCUS is a versatile, high performance, cost-effective clean energy solution.

How It Works

Made from low-cost, resilient aluminum reflectors, the FOCUS parabolic reflector dish is mounted on a tracker which rests on a steel mast. Following the sun on two axes throughout the day, the FOCUS maximizes the capture of solar radiation. Solar radiation is reflected off the concentrator onto a central receiver, heating a circulating thermal fluid. The heated fluid then passes through a heat exchanger to create high temperature steam, or other high temperature and enthalpy fluids which can be used for a wide variety of applications.

FOCUS Key Benefits

Clean, Renewable Energy Source

As a solar concentrator, the FOCUS requires no external fuel or other inputs for operation, relying exclusively on direct sunlight. The limited electrical requirements are supplied by an onboard PV system and battery. Made almost entirely of cost effective steel and aluminum, the FOCUS is fully recyclable and does not contain any rare earth metals or toxic substances. FOCUS can deliver thermal energy in the temperature range of 50ºC up to 600ºC, limited only by the heat transfer fluid to be used, and the requirements of the use case.

Low Cost Thermal Energy

The FOCUS was designed with the objective of minimizing cost per kWh generated, on a Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) basis. For heat energy applications, the FOCUS delivers significantly higher energy yield relative to solar photovoltaic systems. And, by employing innovative optics and dual-axis tracking, the FOCUS also substantially outperforms parabolic trough systems. Unit costs are minimized through the use of low cost materials, a structurally efficient design, and design for manufacturing techniques. Additionally, the efficient installation and commissioning process yields significant savings relative to competing technologies. Further cost savings are realized with the integration of energy storage, as large scale thermal energy storage is both feasible and significantly cheaper than electrical energy storage.

Easy to Install and Maintain

The FOCUS can be installed and calibrated in a matter of hours, in contrast to alternative solar thermal technologies which often require extensive site preparation and calibration. Mast-mounted, each FOCUS unit requires only a limited land area and can be installed on a variety of terrain. System calibration is automated, and is performed shortly after installation is completed. Designed for remote operation in challenging environments, the FOCUS is extremely rigorous and robust and requires little maintenance.

How the FOCUS Compares to Key Alternatives

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	Solarflux	Parabolic Trough	Photovoltaic	Natural Gas	Diesel (remote generation)
Application	Thermal & Electricity Generation	Electricity Generation	Electricity Generation	Industrial Process Heat	Remote Electricity Generation
$ / kWh	Very Low*	Low	Low	Low	Very High
Installation	Very Fast	Slow	Fast	Fast	Very Fast
Commissioning	Minimal	Significant	Medium	Medium	Minimal
Operations & Maintenance	Minimal	Significant	Minimal	Medium	Minimal
Land Required / kWh	Medium	High	High	Low	Low
Fuel Dependency	Zero	Zero	Zero	Very High	Very High
Fuel Price Exposure	Zero	Zero	Zero	Very High	Very High
Environmental Impact	Lowest	Low	Medium	Very High	Very High