PORTEFEUILLE

Sunaxer is a cleantech start-up project developing innovative receivers for concentrating solar thermal collectors. The receivers are coated with a selective absorber coating with superior durability and optical performance to existing technologies. The coatings are deposited through a patented, cost- and energy-efficient manufacturing process.

The InnoBooster project successfully addressed key research challenges, improving coating reproducibility, long-term stability, and identifying optimal storage conditions for the industrial production. It also advanced product development by building insulated receivers with reduced thermal losses and a novel compound parabolic collector. The novel collector design eliminates the need for vacuum components and features a stationary, non-tracking system, offering cost reductions compared to traditional parabolic trough collectors. The collector is optimized for our latitudes, and it is designed for easy flat roof integration, with its lightweight, low-rise build intended to minimize wind loads. A major milestone was achieved with the successful steam production from the prototype CPC collector installed on the EPFL rooftop. The CPC collector demonstrated high efficiency even in autumn, reaching 224°C in stagnation, and successfully evaporating 3-4 kg of water, generating around 6,000 L of steam at atmospheric pressure. The experimental results closely match theoretical predictions.
The InnoBooster support facilitated Sunaxer's transition from a university incubator to a commercial entity with its own manufacturing facilities. The manufacturing of Sunaxer receivers is scheduled to start in November 2024.