Evaluating Glint and Glare Hazards From Fields of Parabolic Mirrors

Abstract

Reflected light from photovoltaic installations and concentrated solar power plants poses a significant risk to observers, manifesting as glint (momentary flashes) and glare (sustained brightness). These hazards are potentially magnified in heliostat fields, where curved mirrors require more detailed modeling. This article builds on existing glint/glare analysis methods by introducing improved models of the beam size and intensity from parabolic mirrors. Additionally, a novel approach is developed to aggregate the effects of multiple mirrors into a single “danger level.” These enhancements are used to evaluate the ocular hazard above the National Solar Thermal Test Facility. These tools offer improved fidelity and confidence in the results of optical risk analyses for solar energy installations.