Parabolic trough solar collector

A parabolic trough solar collector is a device that captures sunlight using a curved, U-shaped mirror called a parabolic reflector. This mirror focuses the sunlight onto a small, central tube called an absorber pipe, which runs along the mirror's focal line. The concentrated sunlight heats a fluid flowing through the pipe, typically oil or water, which absorbs the thermal energy. This heat can then be used to generate electricity or provide direct heating. It's an efficient way to convert sunlight into usable thermal energy, especially suited for large-scale power plants.