ABSTRACT
Significant research has been pursued to develop new technology and novel materials to utilize abundant solar energy for many different applications. Concentrating solar power technology is also perceived as one of the most promising and economical solar energy harnessing technologies, wherein solar radiation is converted into thermal energy, using different mirror configurations and a receiver. In the field of solar energy harvesting, photovoltaics has been widely investigated and deployed in the society at large. However, there is an urgent need to harness solar energy as the fossil fuels are depleting rapidly. Solar reflectors play a crucial role by focusing the solar radiation onto the receiver, thereby increasing the efficiency of solar thermal and photovoltaic applications. Good reflector materials have received greater attention in the scientific community working on solar energy materials for possessing high reflectance in the solar spectrum.
