In a groundbreaking advancement for renewable energy, researchers from Politecnico di Milano and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have demonstrated that star-shaped solar receivers can significantly improve the economic and thermal performance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. The study, published in Applied Energy (Vol. 391, 2025), shows that this novel geometry can deliver a 30% reduction in Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH) and up to 75% lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) compared to conventional cylindrical receiver systems.
Concentrated Solar Power—also called Concentrating Solar Power—is a technology that uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a receiver, converting solar energy into high-temperature heat. This heat is then used to produce electricity, often with thermal storage to enable round-the-clock power generation. One of the costliest and most efficiency-limiting components in CSP systems is the receiver, which absorbs the concentrated solar energy.
The newly proposed star-shaped receiver, inspired by early designs from Sandia National Laboratories, solves key limitations of traditional cylindrical receivers by enabling double-sided tube irradiation. This reduces temperature gradients and thermal stress, increasing receiver lifespan by a factor of 5 to 12, while also minimizing reflective and radiative heat losses.
Using advanced simulation tools such as SolarPilot and SolTrace, the researchers performed a comprehensive assessment of optical, thermal, mechanical, and economic performance. The optimized receiver, built with Incoloy 800H alloy, showed the lowest LCOH at just €23.2/MWh, while outperforming cylindrical designs in overall energy collection—achieving 5% more annual thermal output.
Crucially, the design uses fewer tubes and less expensive materials, drastically reducing manufacturing costs. This innovation not only boosts thermal efficiency but also makes CSP a more competitive option in the global energy mix.
