Parabolic trough assemblies (collectors) are linear focus concentrating solar devices suitable for working in the 150-400°C temperature range. The collector is basically made up of a parabolic trough-shaped mirror that reflects direct solar radiation, concentrating it onto a receiver tube located in the focal line of the parabola.
Concentration of the direct solar radiation reduces the absorber surface area with respect to the collector aperture area and thus significantly reduces the overall thermal losses. The concentrated radiation heats the fluid that circulates through the receiver tube, thus transforming the solar radiation into thermal energy in the form of the sensible heat of the fluid.
Parabolic trough collectors rotate around the tracking axis, to follow the apparent daily movement of the sun. Our hydraulic drive unit is sufficient for several parabolic trough modules (12 m each) connected in series and driven together as a single collector of 150 m length. The drive unit is placed on the central pylon and is commanded by a local control unit in order to track the sun. Our open-loop control unit is based on an astronomical algorithm and has an accuracy of 0.01°. The tracking angle error is below 0.2°.
The collector total (maximal) length is 150 m and has an aperture width is 5.77 m, with back-silvered thick glass mirrors (reflector). The reflector is held by a steel support structure on pylons in the foundation in a special, simplified torque tube design. The simplified structure enables low-cost deployment and installation. | 
 "Parabolic Trough Assembly")
 "ASP Pilot")
