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QUARZ-Center - Measurements and evaluations for higher efficiencies

Receiver tests at the QUARZ center. Source: DLR

The DLR QUARZ®-Center offers independent quality tests of components and systems to developers, producers, customers, and suppliers of thermal solar power plants. The test infrastructure is located on the DLR site in Cologne and at the Plataforma Solar de Almería of our spanish partner CIEMAT. The center is operated by experienced researchers of the DLR institute of Solar Research.

At QUARZ we use modern test benches and large scale testing facilities to perform tests of materials, prototypes, do quality checks of serial productions, as well as specify and develop new products. We study the orientation and compatibility of components such as mirrors, receivers, and support structures.

Receiver tests using the ElliRec test bench. Source: DLR

For the developers and operators of solar power plants quality checks are essential because factors such as optical properties, durability, and geometric precision of the components have a strong impact on the efficiency and thus on the profitableness of a power plant. An performance increase of plant components or the complete system can contribute significantly to reduce the costs of CSP power. The DLR quality certificates increase the competitiveness of components and systems which helps investors reduce their risks.

The measurement and evaluation procedures which are developed at the Institute of Solar Research are acknowledged by international research collaborations.

Our range of services includes:

• Measurements and evaluations of mirrors, receivers, collector structures, their tracking behaviour, and their thermal efficiency
• Application of standardized measurement techniques which have been developed for the requirements of customers from the industry
• CSP-specific evaluation of the measurements 
• Evaluation of cumulative effects of component properties
• Support with component development
• Confidential test reports