Overview of common concentrator types
Solar concentrators come in several mainstream forms, each suited to different temperature ranges and applications. The most widely used categories are non-imaging and imaging concentrators, but practical systems are typically described by their geometry and tracking needs.
Major types:
- Parabolic troughs: curved mirrors focusing sunlight along a linear receiver; good for medium temperatures and utility-scale plants.
- Parabolic dishes: dish-shaped mirrors focusing light to a single focal point; produce very high temperatures for small, high-efficiency engines.
- Fresnel reflectors: flat or slightly curved strips that approximate a parabolic shape; cost-effective for medium-temperature heat.
- Heliostat fields with central receiver: thousands of flat mirrors (heliostats) that track the sun and focus light onto a tower-mounted receiver; used for large-scale, high-temperature power.
- Linear Fresnel systems: compact, low-cost reflectors with a fixed receiver above; simpler to build but slightly less efficient.
Each type varies by concentration ratio (how much the sunlight is magnified), tracking complexity, land footprint, and suitable temperature range. Choice depends on intended use: electricity generation, industrial process heat, or research. Considerations include site DNI (direct normal irradiance), available land, budget, and whether thermal storage will be paired with the concentrator.