Researchers have developed a new type of solar power system that can produce both electricity and heat at the same time—an innovation that could help industries capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from their emissions more efficiently.
The system uses tall solar panels combined with large mirrors that concentrate sunlight onto the panels. Each unit in the pilot plant is about five meters high.
The mirrors are carefully angled so they direct as much sunlight as possible toward the solar cells, boosting the amount of energy produced.
This concentrated solar energy generates electricity while also creating heat, something traditional solar panels do not normally provide.
According to scientists at the Norwegian research organization SINTEF, the system is unique because it can store heat as well as produce electrical power.
That heat is especially valuable for industrial processes such as carbon capture, which removes CO₂ from factory emissions before it enters the atmosphere.
The solar units are equipped with trackers that follow the sun throughout the day, ensuring they capture the maximum amount of sunlight.
Beneath the solar panels are pipes filled with liquid that absorb and store heat generated by the concentrated sunlight. The water in these pipes can reach temperatures of about 60°C, which is high for solar heating.
However, carbon capture requires even higher temperatures. To solve this problem, the researchers developed an advanced heat pump that uses the stored hot water to produce temperatures of around 130°C—hot enough to power the carbon capture process.
Carbon capture typically consumes large amounts of energy, making it expensive and difficult to use widely. Tests at a pilot plant in Trondheim, Norway, showed that the new solar system could cut the energy needed for carbon capture by about 17 percent.
Computer models suggest that with further improvements, the energy savings could reach as much as 39 percent. This would make carbon capture more practical for heavy industries.
The project was carried out in partnership with the company Svalin Solar and was inspired by similar technology used in floating solar systems.
Researchers tested the system at SINTEF’s Multiphase Laboratory, where it was connected to an existing carbon capture facility.
Weather conditions played a major role in the results. The testing period in August 2025 was unusually cloudy, limiting the amount of sunlight available. Scientists say the system would perform even better in sunnier regions, such as southern Europe. Because sunlight can vary, the system may sometimes need backup electric heating to keep running smoothly.
Now that the concept has been proven, the team plans to build a larger industrial pilot project at a glass factory in Italy. This will test how well the technology works in real manufacturing conditions. Researchers believe the system could eventually help many energy-intensive industries reduce emissions while using renewable energy.
If successful, this mirror-powered solar technology could become a valuable tool in the fight against climate change, making carbon capture cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable.
