We developed a polarimetric imaging drone for field inspections of CSP Heliostats. By utilizing the polarization pattern of the skylight calculated with the Rayleigh scattering model, the difficult scenarios for visible images show a good enhancement in the contrast of features, such as edges and cracks of the heliostat mirror facets. Analysis of the test results carried out at Sandia NSTTF validated the feasibility of applying this method and system to the CSP fields. Future work is desired for image fusion of high-resolution visible images and polarization images with well-designed angles.
The soiling level of heliostat mirrors in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) fields is one of the key factors that significantly influences optical efficiency. While several methods of monitoring heliostats soiling levels have been developed, it remains challenging to determine heliostats soiling levels quickly and non-intrusively with large area scanning. We have developed a method based on polarimetric imaging to accomplish this goal, using the natural light’s polarization information and ray tracing calculations. With the flexibility to be integrated into a UAV-based imaging system or portable imaging setup, this method holds the potential of deployment to any CSP field for mirror soiling detection high efficiency and accuracy.
Conference Committee Involvement (1)
Advances in Solar Energy: Heliostat Systems Design, Implementation, and Operation II
3 August 2025 | San Diego, California, United States
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