There are two main types of solar thermal power plants:
![Central tower solar thermal plant in the desert](/content/dam/repsol-corporate/es/energia-e-innovacion/torre-control-central-solar.jpg)
Central tower solar thermal power plant
Central tower solar thermal power plant
These facilities have a tower of large mirrors, called heliostats, capable of changing direction to capture the maximum solar radiation and concentrate it on a specific point. The heat is transmitted to a thermally conductive fluid that, as its temperature rises, becomes steam and starts a thermodynamic cycle.
![People walking through a solar panel farm](/content/dam/repsol-paises/us/en/development/Feature%20Solar%20Image.jpg.transform/rp-rendition-sm/image.jpg)
Collector solar thermal power plant
Collector solar thermal power plant
This type of solar thermal power plant captures the sun's rays through concentrating or high-temperature collectors. The collectors are concave mirrors, that are mounted on a structure that allows their position to be modified to increase the intensity of the solar radiation, reaching temperatures greater than 250°C.