Power potential of a terrestrial solar-radiant stirling heat engine

The output power and thermal efficiency of a finite-time optimized terrestrial solar-radiant Stirling heat engine is studied. The thermodynamic model adopted is a regenerative gas Stirling cycle coupled to a heat source by radiant heat transfer. Both the heat source and heat sink have infinite heat capacity rates. Mathematical expressions for maximum power and the efficiency at maximum power are obtained for the cycle based on higher and lower temperature bounds. The results of this theoretical work provide a base line criteria for use in the performance evaluation and design of such engines as well as for use in performance comparisons with existing terrestrial solar power plants.