Caractéristiques :

 49 miroirs de 30 x 30 cm
 3000 Watts
 température focale de 900°C
 transforme 45 l. d’eau en vapeur/heure

Descriptif (en anglais)
The Apollo solar concentrating array is the most powerful configuration of Solar Fire technologies. At around 2.5kw a single Apollo is not as powerful as the Helios, but it has been subtly modified such that a line or grid of Apollos can be synchronized and attached in series, harnessing many times the power of a single unit, though needing no more adjusting than a single unit.

Seen here, 2 Apollo arrays are connected both via a steam pipe at the top, which directs the outputs of the system to a single endpoint, and via cables which enable the user to control both units at once. Due to its high focal point, the Apollo is best suited to applications where the user does not often need to access the focal point, such as water purification and steam production. A file of ten Apollos can raise 45kg of steam an hour and will cost around $3000 (a single unit costs $300).

Named for the Greek god of light and truth, the Apollo array is our answer to the question “how much energy can we capture, using Solar Fire methods ?” The Apollo verges on industrial energy levels, while still being made up of component parts which can be fabricated off-the-shelf in most countries on earth.

Construction basics
The construction of the Apollo is similar enough to that of the Vesta that it does not need to be repeated here. 49 mirrors must be created and placed on a frame instead of 30, and the target mount is, as the picture shows, somewhat different. When it is finished, the Apollo construction guide will illustrate the specifics of the technology. For now, you can check out the construction guide for building the 9 faceted compound mirror making process.

The unique aspect of the Apollo is that the mirror array rotates beneath a stationary target, normally a boiler. This means that the targets can be easily attached in series without needed to use flexible steam pipes and hinges etc.

The Apollo essentially powers one long system, as such it is convenient to have the Apollos working as a single unit. This can be accomplished by using cables or worm gears to gang each of the rakes on each of the Apollos down the line. When accomplished, rotating the Apollo on one end will rotate all the Apollos in the file and adjusting each rake will adjust each similar rake. With so much power coming from a system it might become feasible to develop a clockwork mechanism to assist tracking.

The upper limit to the how big a system of Apollos can effectively be is not known, but we see no reason it would be less than 250 kW. A file of 10 Apollo arrays will capture about 25kW in the form of steam per peak hour of operation. 10 files could be arranged to feed the same system. The Apollo is most easily adapted to water related applications such water treatment by pasteurization, boiling, distilling or desalinization and so can also be used for steam production, which permits a wide range of applications from crop processing, large scale laundry and industrial cooking among others.