A compact, portable solar collector which is capable of achieving high operational temperatures without tracking was developed to provide heat for a methanol reforming (endothermic) chemical reaction.

Highlights

1. A micro solar thermal collector with vacuum insulation is proposed.
2. Thermal performance of the collector has been both theoretically and experimentally analysed.
3. The collector can stagnate at 327 °C for an irradiance of 1000 W/m2.
4. The collector is suitable to drive endothermic reactions like methanol reforming.

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doi:10.1016/j.solener.2014.12.030

Schematic of the proposed CPC for methanol reforming