Solar thermal energy harnesses the sun’s power to generate electricity by using lenses and reflectors to concentrate the sun’s energy. The concentrated energy is then used to heat a fluid such as water or oil which in turn drives a turbine. This technology is being deployed on a large scale to provide electricity.

This method of generating power can also be combined successfully with Thermal power generation, and together they can offer a flexible and powerful system.  According to The Solar Thermal Energy Initiative, “ … in less than an hour every day the sun produces more energy than we all need globally in a year. We just need to capture some of it. 1% will more than suffice to meet our current and future world needs.”