VenParabolic VP-9

Proven solar. Dutch manufactured.

The VenParabolic VP-9 is a containerized parabolic trough for 150–250°C process heat, desalination, hot water, and cooking.

It is built on a proven design that has been tested, validated, and deployed in Africa and Europe.

Now manufactured in the Netherlands by VenParabolic.

What It Is

The VP-9 is a small-scale parabolic trough collector.

It is:

Proven — based on a design tested in Lesotho and exported to Europe
Validated — 98% optical intercept factor, 67–70% thermal efficiency
Manufactured — standard steel sections, Dutch production
Containerized — flat-packed reflector panels, ships in standard containers
Turnkey — unload, connect tubes, operate
Deployable — no mechanized equipment needed, crew of four

Specifications

Geometry

Focal length: 0.5 m
Aperture: 2.2 m tip-to-tip
Module length: 4 m
Aperture area per module: 8.8 m²
Concentration factor: ~20×

Receiver

Absorber tube: 38 mm
Insulated cavity: flat glass cover, rock wool or ceramic fiber insulation
Evacuated receiver (optional): 38 mm, black chrome coated stainless steel

Reflector

Alanod MIRO panels
Steel ribs and geodesic supports
Detachable for transport

Tracking

Seasonal tilt (standard)
Single-axis chain drive (optional)
24 m line of six 4 m modules

Heat transfer fluid

Water for hot water and cooking (96–120°C)
Glycol for process heat up to 180°C
Thermal oil for industrial process heat up to 250°C

Operating temperature

150–250°C with insulated cavity receiver (standard)
Up to 300°C with evacuated receiver (optional)

Performance

Optical

Intercept factor: 98%
Incidence Angle Modifier: calculated for all angles

Thermal

Insulated cavity receiver: 67% at 180°C
Evacuated receiver (optional): 70% at 300°C
Insulated cavity performs within 8% of evacuated up to 200°C

Output per module (8.8 m²)

Annual average: 32 kWh per day
Summer: 38 kWh per day
Winter: 26 kWh per day
Peak noon: 5.9 kW

Water heating per module

To 80°C: 460 liters per day average
To 80°C: 547 liters per day summer
To 80°C: 379 liters per day winter

Boiling per module

350 liters per day average
412 liters per day summer
285 liters per day winter

Output per line (52.8 m², six modules)

Annual average: 194 kWh per day
Water heated to 80°C: 2,770 liters per day
Water boiled: 2,090 liters per day
Peak noon: 35 kW

Note: Performance depends on sunlight, water source, and installation.

Applications

Process Heat — 150–250°C

Thermal oil or glycol at 150–250°C. For:

Food processing
Drying and dehydration
Sterilization
Pasteurization
Industrial washing
Chemical preheating
Textile dyeing and drying

Closed loop. No pressure. Routed through a heat exchanger to your process.

Desalination — Fresh Water
Fresh water from seawater or brackish water. No membranes. No filters. No chemicals.

Evaporation and condensation remove salt, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics.
Hot Water — 96–120°C
For washing, cleaning, and sanitation. Storage tank and circulation. No electricity. No pumps.
Cooking — Multiple Pots in a Row
Boil, steam, bake, and roast. Multiple pots in a row. No constant tracking. No fuel. No electricity.

Remove the receiver tube and place a pot frame along the focal line. Place pots in a row. The concentrated sunlight heats the pots.
3–4 pots in a row. Start with one. Add as you grow.
Use black or dark pots. They absorb heat better.

Note: Frying is not recommended. Solar heat is variable, and frying requires constant, high heat.

See Prices

Manufacturing

Materials

Standard steel sections from Europe
Alanod MIRO reflector panels
Standard receiver geometry

Process

Cutting, welding, riveting, fastening
Standard metalwork equipment
No specialized tooling

Assembly

8 bolted attachment points per 8 m²
Crew of four
No mechanized equipment
Assembly time: under 6 hours

Transport

Flat-packed reflector panels
Tight packing density
Standard shipping containers

Made in the Netherlands

Dutch engineering
Dutch quality control
Dutch warranty and support
Containerized for global shipping

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

Cost

Production cost: See Prices.

Module: 8.8 m² aperture. Line: 52.8 m² aperture, six modules.

Prices depend on configuration and material prices.

This is competitive with:

NEP1200
SopoNova (no longer produced)
Absolicon MT10
Thermax P60

All other PTC products are imported and assembled on site. The VP-9 is manufactured in the Netherlands.

Why This System

It is proven
Based on a design tested, validated, and deployed. Not a concept. A real system.

It is validated
98% optical intercept factor. 67–70% thermal efficiency. Published in a peer-reviewed paper.

It is affordable
Competitive with all other small trough designs.

It is deployable
Flat-packed. Containerized. Assembled by four workers in under six hours.

It is versatile
Process heat. Desalination. Hot water. Cooking.

It is Dutch
Manufactured in the Netherlands by VenParabolic BV.

What We Offer

VP-9 modules

8.8 m² aperture
4 m length
150–250°C operating temperature
Complete with reflector, receiver, frame

VP-9 lines

24 m line of six modules
52.8 m² aperture
Seasonal tilt (standard)
Single-axis chain drive (optional)

Custom configurations

Tell us your heat need, water need, or cooking need
We size the system accordingly

Containerized deployment

Flat-packed for shipping
Assembled on site
No specialized labor

Ready to discuss your project?

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