Verification & validation of simulation code for Linear Fresnel systems

This work belongs to a research project supported by the IRESEN (Institute of Research on Solar and New Energy-Morocco). Its main goal is to develop an innovative solar thermal field using the Fresnel technology. In order to analyze, optimize and design Linear Fresnel solar concentrating systems, a global simulation code has been developed. The developed code is based on the Monte Carlo /Ray Tracing method and would allow us the visualization and the analysis of optical interactions and the simulation of radiative transfer between the sun and the receiver. It was necessary to verify and validate our simulation code before starting the optimization step. Thus, several verification-validation tests have been established. These tests are based on the comparison of our simulation results for different geometrical configurations with those obtained by SOLTRACE software. The main parameters of comparison would be based on the optical-geometrical interaction, the flux density distribution and the statistical parameters related to the Monte Carlo algorithm.