Solar thermal energy is a renewable energy source that uses the sun's heat to generate thermal energy for a variety of uses: 

• Domestic and commercial applications

  Solar thermal energy can be used to heat water for domestic and commercial use, such as for showers and hot taps. 

• Agricultural applications

  Solar thermal energy can be used to heat water and air for agricultural applications, such as in hatcheries and dairies. 

• Swimming pool heating

  Solar thermal energy can be used to heat swimming pools. 

• Health clubs

  Solar thermal energy can be used to generate steam and heat for saunas in health clubs. 

• Power generation

  Solar thermal power plants use mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver to generate high temperatures that create steam. The steam is then used to power a turbine and generator to produce electricity. 

• Industrial processes

  Solar thermal energy can be used to heat a heat transfer fluid that can then be used to generate heat for industrial applications. This can be more efficient and cost effective than burning fossil fuels to generate heat. 

Solar thermal systems can also have thermal energy storage systems to collect heat during the day and use it to produce electricity at night or on cloudy days.