Trough systems convert the heat from the sun into electricity. Because of their parabolical shape, troughs can focus the sun at 30 60 times its normal intensity on a receiver pipe located along the focal line of the trough. . A parabolic trough collector (PTC) is a type of solar thermal collector that is straight in one dimension and curved as a parabola in the other two, lined with a polished metal mirror. The sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of symmetry is focused along the focal line, where. . 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. We will learn about t eir history and their current status. Importan design parameters will be explained.
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