Parabolic

Parabolic trough solar power generation

Parabolic trough technology is the most widespread among utility-scale solar thermal plants. The potential of this type of concentrating collectors is very high and can provide output fluid temperatures in the range up to 500°C. Using a precisely curved mirror to focus sunlight onto a receiver tube, it converts solar radiation into usable heat energy. This heat can be. . DOE funds solar research and development (R&D) in parabolic trough systems as one of four concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies aiming to meet the goals of the SunShot Initiative. The sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of symmetry is focused along the focal line, where. . [PDF Version]