Advancements and Deployment of Solar Thermal Technologies in Indian Climatic Conditions: A Concise Review

Solar thermal technologies are gaining attention as dependable options for high-temperature heat and renewable power generation. This paper reviews the key developments and deployment status of solar thermal and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems under Indian climatic conditions. Recent improvements in absorber coatings, mirror materials, and heat-transfer fluids have increased optical efficiency and system durability, even in dusty and humid environments. The study also examines the role of thermal energy storage (TES), showing that six-to-ten-hour storage can raise plant capacity factors by nearly 25–40% compared with systems without storage. Field data from Indian pilot plants are analyzed to identify common challenges such as mirror soiling, corrosion, and high water consumption. In addition, existing policy gaps are discussed, including limited support for TES and hybridized plants. The paper suggests strategies to better align CSP with India's renewable energy roadmap. Overall, continued innovation in materials, thermal storage, and operation-and-maintenance practices is essential to make solar thermal technologies a viable contributor to India's clean-energy and industrial-heat sectors.