Concentrating Solar Technology

Concentrating solar technology refers to a family of different solar technologies that employ either a mirrored or lensed surface to reflect or focus the sun's beams to a central element, from where the solar energy is extracted. This technology can be deployed on a variety of scales, from small, roof-mounted units where both concentrator and receiver are integrated into the device to massive arrays of mirrors focusing light onto a heliostat (central collector).

The basic technology of concentrating solar power can be deployed in a variety of ways using different technology pathways that are explained below.