Parabolic Trough Receiver Flux Profiles Need Multi-Component Gaussian Descriptions: Ten Gaussian Descriptors Were Scored With Six Statistical Metrics in Scientific Reports, Published November 13
Scientific Reports published a study characterizing circumferential flux distributions in parabolic trough receivers on November 13, 2026. The paper, by Waghmare, Cardona and Pujol-Nadal, carries digital object identifier 10.1038/s41598-026-79946-5, was received on July 22, 2026 and accepted on November 4, 2026. The study notes that the solar flux on the receiver of a parabolic trough collector is highly non-uniform, which makes it hard to describe with a single mathematical function. Gaussian curves have long been used for solar irradiance and optical errors, but rarely for receiver flux. The team presented a systematic Gaussian characterization framework for circumferential flux distributions on the receiver of a modified LS-III parabolic trough collector. Spectral Monte Carlo ray tracing generated flux profiles for wavelength-independent and wavelength-dependent materials, circumsolar ratio, receiver diameter, receiver height and rim angle. The framework fits ten Gaussian descriptors, both individually and in combination, and selects the best fit using six statistical metrics, while flagging non-identifiable fits. A single Gaussian rarely described the full profile, and multi-component or two-region descriptors were usually needed. A consistent spread asymmetry across independent sweeps quantifies the rise-decline shape of the flux profiles.
(Source: Scientific)
Source: Scientific
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国加利福尼亚州莫哈韦沙漠一座光伏电站成排的光伏板阵列。Photo by Reegan Moen. U.S. Department of Energy from United States，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Photo by Reegan Moen. U.S. Department of Energy from United States, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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