- Combining solar thermal energy with storage enables reliable, zero-emission process heat – making renewable energy available even at night or during fluctuating solar radiation.
- Thermal storage systems improve both cost efficiency and security of supply – especially when heat demand is constant and self-consumption is high.
- For industrial companies, the combination of a CST system and thermal storage is becoming a strategic choice – in response to volatile markets, rising CO₂ costs and growing decarbonization requirements.
The sun provides more energy each day than humanity could ever consume. But its availability fluctuates – depending on the time of day, weather conditions and season. For energy-intensive industries that rely on a continuous supply of process heat, solar thermal energy alone is not enough. Only when combined with storage technologies does it become a viable system. Investing in a solar thermal system with storage today means making a decision that is increasingly critical for security of supply and long-term competitiveness. Process heat accounts for roughly two-thirds of industrial final energy consumption – a sector still largely dependent on fossil fuels. Without sustainable heat solutions, industrial decarbonization will be difficult to achieve.
Solar thermal systems with thermal storage solutions: A response to volatile energy markets
Concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems use mirrors such as parabolic troughs or Fresnel collectors to focus sunlight and heat a transfer medium, usually thermal oil. The resulting heat can be used directly in industrial processes. The catch: once there’s no solar radiation, the heat source stops.
That’s where thermal storage comes in. It captures excess heat during the day and releases it when needed – after sunset or during cloudy periods. This turns a variable energy source into a steady supply for industrial operations. Companies no longer have to rely on fossil fuels to maintain production.
Given volatile gas and electricity prices, rising CO₂ costs and growing geopolitical risks, this flexibility is becoming increasingly important. Storage makes it possible to shift thermal energy over time. Companies can cover their heat demand even when no energy is being generated. That strengthens supply security and improves overall cost efficiency.
Industrial-scale storage solutions
To deliver real value in practice, storage solutions must work reliably under real-world conditions. One system developed specifically for this purpose and already in use is the ThermalBattery™ by ENERGYNEST. It can be integrated into new solar thermal installations or retrofitted as a storage component in existing CST systems.
Thanks to its modular design, the system can be tailored to fit different needs. Whether it’s a continuously operating production site or an industrial park with fluctuating demand, the storage solution can be scaled and configured accordingly. The result is not only greater supply security but also a tangible step toward decarbonizing energy-intensive processes.
What does solar thermal with storage cost?
The level of investment depends heavily on the system design, storage capacity and specific area of application. In general, the higher the self-consumption rate and the more constant the heat demand, the more economically viable the system becomes. While conventional storage concepts using molten salt involve high capital and operating costs, modern alternatives like the ThermalBattery™ offer significantly more favorable conditions. It uses no corrosive materials, requires no special pumps and is low-maintenance. Over its full lifetime, both CAPEX and OPEX are noticeably reduced.
Additional economic benefits can come from government funding programs, tax incentives and the growing impact of CO₂ costs. Investing in a solar thermal system with storage today means securing not only stable heat prices in the long term, but also structural advantages in an increasingly competitive environment.
Solar thermal with storage is becoming a key technology
Transforming the energy system requires solutions that not only generate renewable power but also deliver it reliably. That’s exactly what the combination of solar thermal energy and storage achieves – especially in industrial settings where heat is needed around the clock. CST systems with thermal storage enable the production of process heat that is emission-free, predictable and cost-effective.
This is where the strategic advantage lies: companies that adopt the technology early reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and gain greater resilience against volatile energy markets. Thoughtfully designed storage solutions like the ThermalBattery™ are key to this shift. They don’t just harness solar heat – they make it available whenever it’s needed.
