Photogrammetry: An Available Surface Characterization Tool for Solar Concentrators, Part I: Measurements of Surfaces

Close range photogrammetry is a sensing technique that allows the three-dimensional coordinates of selected points on a surface of almost any dimension and orientation to be assessed. Surface characterisations of paraboloidal reflecting surfaces at the ANU using photogrammetry have indicated that three-dimensional coordinate precisions approaching 1:20,000 are readily achievable using this technique. This allows surface quality assessments to be made of large solar collecting devices with a precision that is difficult to achieve with other methods.