The Unit possesses a 3-MW solar tower, one of the four research solar towers existing in the world. Experiments at a megawatt scale can be performed in the tower at five levels, using highly concentrated solar energy.
A new optical system was constructed and annexed to the present tower. This system is known as the beam-down optics and comprises a 70-m2 reflector, shaped as a hyperboloidal section, which can direct the solar radiation arriving from the heliostats field down to an experimental target, placed on a suitable structure on the ground. This new addition, which started its operation recently, will enable to accomplish new megawatt-scale experiments at the Unit. This unique optics will be one of its kind.
The current experiments in the tower are variegated. Among them, the following are to be mentioned: high-temperature solar receivers to heat pressurized air to be used directly in a gas turbine for generating electricity; solar reforming of low hydrocarbons to produce synthesis gas; solar-pumped lasers; concentrated PV; carboreduction of metal oxides to produce the metal element; thermal cracking of hydrocarbons; and hydrogen production.
Some of these experiments are carried out in collaboration with local and foreign industrial and research institutes.