Specular surfaces to channel solar radiation
CSP technologies are suitable for areas with high radiation as they collect only the direct component of sunlight. The energy collected by concentrator mirrors heats a heat transfer fluid and drives a turbine connected to a generator (thermodynamic solar energy), turning it into electricity. Alternatively, the energy collected in the heat transfer fluid can be harnessed as process heat in various industrial applications. Another possible use is solar cooling, where the heat from the fluid powers a heat pump.