Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. Electrical power is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine (usually a steam turbine) connected to an electrical power generator.
Some of the emerging trends in concentrated solar power (CSP) include the use of heliostats, the use of solar towers, and the use of parabolic troughs.