Section of parabolic trough mirror and receiving tube for use within a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant array, both made by Rioglass, Mieres, Asturias, Spain, 2022.

This section of parabolic trough mirror and receiving tube for use within a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant array exemplifies one of the renewable energy technologies key to delivering decarbonisation of global systems. CSP plants use large mirrors to focus solar energy onto a receiver. They come in various arrangements that use different optical principles. As represented by this object, one type uses mirrors with parabolic cross-sections to focus energy onto a receiving tube; mirrors pivot throughout the day to maximise the sunlight they capture. Other arrangements use concentric mirror arrays to focus energy onto a central tower. Electricity is generated either by using the solar energy to heat water to create steam which drives a turbine; or by using the solar energy to drive a thermochemical reaction.

This mirror is manufactured by the Spanish firm Rioglass. As of 2022, Spain leads the world in CSP capacity, accounting for almost one third of electricity generated globally using this technology. Rioglass are a major supplier of Spanish and international CSP plants.