Parabolic Trough Systems — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about VenParabolic containerized parabolic trough systems for process heat, desalination, hot water, and cooking.

Group 1 — General

1. What does VenParabolic build?

We design, manufacture, and ship containerized parabolic trough systems.

Our systems deliver four outputs:

Process heat at 150–250°C
Desalination
Hot water
Cooking

Every system is factory-built, tested, and shipped turnkey ready.

2. What is a parabolic trough system?

A parabolic trough is a curved mirror that concentrates sunlight onto a receiver tube. The receiver heats water, glycol, or thermal oil to 150–250°C.

That heat can drive industrial processes, desalinate water, heat water, or cook food.

3. How is this different from solar panels?

Solar panels make electricity. Our parabolic trough systems make heat — 150–250°C process heat, hot water, and steam.

No photovoltaic panels. No batteries. No inverters.

4. Do I need electricity to run it?

No. The system runs on sunlight alone. No grid connection. No generator. No fuel. Water systems have no pumps. Process heat systems use a small circulation pump.

5. Where are your systems manufactured?

In our factory in the Netherlands.

6. What is the maximum temperature?

150–250°C, depending on reflector quality, receiver design, and sunlight.

Group 2 — Containerized and Turnkey

7. What does "containerized" mean?

Every system ships in a 20 ft or 40 ft open-frame container, or on a skid for small units.

Everything arrives pre-fabricated and pre-assembled.

8. What does "turnkey" mean?

It means the system arrives ready to operate. You unload, connect the pre-fabricated tubes, and start.

No site construction. No welding. No concrete. No specialist labor.

9. What is included in a system?

Every Water System Includes:

Parabolic trough concentrators
Black receiver tube with flat glass cover
Insulated cavity
Pre-fabricated piping
Seasonal tilt mechanism
Assembly instructions

Every Process Heat System Also Includes:

Closed loop piping
Expansion tank
Circulation pump
Heat exchanger
Glycol or thermal oil fill — for 150–250°C
Temperature and flow controls
Safety valves

10. How long does assembly take?

Assembly time depends on system size. A single skid can be assembled in hours. A container system in days.

11. Do you provide instructions and training?

Yes. Every system ships with assembly instructions, diagrams, and a commissioning checklist.

We also offer training for assembly, operation, and maintenance — on site or remote.

Group 3 — Systems and Formats

12. What formats do you offer?

Three formats:

VP-Skid — Skid-mounted, small format. Ideal for pilot projects and small sites.
VP-20 — 20 ft open-frame container. Ideal for communities, farms, and small industry.
VP-40 — 40 ft open-frame container. Ideal for industrial, municipal, and utility-scale projects.

13. Can I start small and scale up later?

Yes. The platform is modular. Start with a single skid. Add containers as demand grows. All systems connect and operate together.

14. Can you build a custom system?

Yes. We engineer to order. Tell us your heat need, water need, or cooking need, and we will size the system accordingly.

Group 4 — Applications

15. What can the system produce?

Four outputs:

Process heat — thermal oil or glycol at 150–250°C. Closed loop. No pressure. Routed through a heat exchanger.
Desalination — fresh water from seawater or brackish water
Hot water — 96–120°C for washing, cleaning, and sanitation
Cooking — multiple pots in a row

16. What is process heat used for?

Process heat at 150–250°C is used for:

Food processing — drying, sterilization, pasteurization
Beverage — pasteurization, cleaning
Textile — dyeing, drying, washing
Chemical — preheating, distillation
Pharmaceutical — sterilization, drying
Paper — drying, pulping
Agriculture — greenhouse heating, drying
Mining — ore drying, preheating

17. Can it desalinate seawater?

Yes. The system works with seawater, brackish water, well water, river water, or contaminated water.

18. Does it use membranes?

No. No RO membranes. No filters. No chemicals.

Evaporation and condensation remove salt, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics.

19. Can it generate electricity?

No. Our systems produce heat, not electricity. For electricity, we recommend PV — it is cheaper, simpler, and more reliable.

20. Can I cook with it?

Yes. Remove the receiver tube and place a pot frame along the focal line. 3–4 pots in a row. No constant tracking. No fuel. No electricity.

21. Can it supply a village or a factory?

Yes. The VP-20 and VP-40 formats serve communities, farms, and industry. The VP-40 serves municipal and utility-scale projects.

Group 5 — Performance and Output

22. How much heat can it produce?

Output depends on system size, sunlight, and installation.

We do not publish guaranteed numbers. We publish estimated ranges. Actual output is confirmed after testing.

In Spanish conditions, one 8.8 m² module is expected to produce 32 kWh per day.

In Dutch conditions, expect 16–20 kWh per day in summer, 8–12 kWh in spring and autumn.

23. What temperature can it reach?

150–250°C, depending on reflector quality, receiver design, and sunlight.

24. Does it work on cloudy days?

It works best in direct sunlight. Output is reduced on cloudy days.

25. Does it need tracking?

The system uses seasonal tilt — adjusted four times per year. No daily tracking required.

Single-axis tracking is available as an option. It adds 10–15% more energy.

26. How long does it last?

The system is designed for a 10–20 year lifespan, depending on maintenance and environment.

MIRO-SUN reflector: 10+ years with warranty. The flat glass cover protects the reflector from dust, rain, and wind — so it stays cleaner and lasts longer.
Frame: 10–20 years.
Glass cover: 10+ years.
Receiver: 10+ years.

27. Do you offer certification?

We are working toward ISO 9806 testing and Solar Keymark certification. CE marking is planned.

28. What is the payback period?

Payback depends on your current fuel, fuel cost, and system size.

For a typical industrial installation replacing gas at €0.08/kWh, payback is 4–6 years.

Group 6 — Deployment

29. What is needed on site?

A level surface, a forklift or crane to unload, and basic tools to connect the tubes.

No welding. No concrete. No construction crews. No specialist labor.

30. Do you build on site?

No. We build in our factory, test every system, and ship it turnkey ready.

31. How is the system shipped?

On a skid, or in a 20 ft or 40 ft open-frame container.

Group 7 — Maintenance

32. What maintenance is needed?

Clean the glass cover — weekly
Clean the reflector — weekly
Flush the receiver — monthly
Check seals — monthly
Check alignment — monthly
Drain brine — daily (if desalinating)
Adjust tilt — seasonal

33. Can it be repaired locally?

Yes. The system is designed for local repair. Any competent technician can replace a reflector panel, receiver tube, or seal.

34. Do you supply spare parts?

Yes. We supply spare parts and can train local technicians.

Group 8 — Commercial

35. Do you sell to governments and NGOs?

Yes. We supply governments, NGOs, and private industry.

36. Can I become a distributor?

Yes. Contact us for distribution and wholesale terms.

37. Do you offer pilot projects?

Yes. We offer pilot projects to demonstrate performance before full-scale deployment.

38. How do I request a quote?

Use the See Prices page, or contact us directly:

Still Have Questions?

VenParabolic
✉️ info@venparabolic.com
🌐 venparabolic.com
📍 The Netherlands