Concentrating solar power or CSP have systems that use lens, mirrors and tracking systems that focus on a large area of light into a small beam that has the capacity of producing high temperatures. Concentrated solar energy is associated with solar thermal. Csp systems require a direct isolation to work properly.
Concentrating solar power varies by the way they track the sun. One way is called the Line focus/ single axis; this is a solar trough that uses a reflector. It then can concentrate on a receiver that is positioned along the reflector focal line. These types of systems use single axis tacking to be able to follow the sun.
The other system is called the Point focus/dual axis; this system uses a power tower that has flat reflectors called heliostats. The light is concentrated on a central receiver that is located on the tower. Dual axis tracking is used in these situations. The power towers are not as advanced as the trough systems but they are a bit more efficient and have more capacity to store energy.
The parabolic dish or dish with an engine system has a stand alone parabolic reflector that concentrates on a light receiver that is set up on the reflectors focal point. This system also uses a dual axis tracking system to track the sunlight.
The non-concentrating photovoltaic and solar thermal systems do not use concentrated sunlight. The maximum temperature you can achieve would be 200 degrees Celsius and the thermodynamics are lower. These non-concentrating systems are very simple in the way they were designed to utilize diffuse isolation. This system uses flat plate thermal panels.
