A Comprehensive Review of Design, Components and Application of Parabolic Trough Solar Collector

Solar energy is a potential clean alternative source which can fulfill the world electrical and thermal energy requirements. One of the leading technologies in the solar industry is the parabolic trough collector (PTC) which is critical in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of solar energy production. These systems incorporate linear concentrating designs that direct the solar beam toward a receiver that typically carries a heat-transfer fluid, then converts collected energy into usable thermal power or electricity. The review covers various aspects of the parabolic trough collector, including design, effects of the reflecting material used, performance of various heat transfer fluids, novel receiver and sun-tracking systems. Moreover, it goes into research on the use of PTC on residential systems and on industrial-scale applications, mentioning the parabolic trough collector as the most important technology of concentrated solar power of the present time.