Direct sunlight delivers about 1000 Watts/m 2 of energy in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. I want to use mirrors with a total effective area A to direct this solar energy into a cube 1m on a side, heating the cube to a steady 100 o Celsius so I can start generating steam and running a turbine. What is the necessary effective mirror surface area A in m 2 to do this?

Question

Direct sunlight delivers about 1000 Watts/m 2   of energy in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. I want to use mirrors with a total effective area A to direct this solar energy into a cube 1m on a side, heating the cube to a steady 100 o   Celsius so I can start generating steam and running a turbine. What is the necessary effective mirror surface area A in m 2   to do this?

anonymous · Answer

There is another factor you have to consider to drive a turbine you will need steam under pressure which means steam at a much greater tempreture than 100 deg C.  I don't know what temp is sufficient.