Parabolic Trough Power Plants Generate Electricity from Solar Heat.

In a parabolic trough power plant, trough-shaped mirrors focus the incident solar radiation onto a pipe along the focal line of the collector. Absorption of this radiation causes a heat transfer fluid to be heated in the pipe, generating steam in the power block via heat exchangers. As with conventional power plants, the steam is utilized in a turbine to generate power; through the integration of thermal storage, this power can then be supplied on demand. Solar power plants are therefore also able to generate electricity after sunset.

The following animation shows the operation of a parabolic trough power plant with thermal storage. The technology illustrated here is used in the Spanish Andasol power plants .