Solar thermal collecting system

A solar thermal collecting system, the system comprising:

• a vessel defined by an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, and an opening, the sidewalls forming a cavity, wherein the outer sidewall of the vessel is insulated;
• a lid covering the opening in the vessel, the lid defined by an at least partially transparent or translucent lid, whereby the lid enables passage of solar radiation into the cavity, further the lid may include one or more solar panels to generate electrical power directly from the solar radiation;
• an at least partially opaque fluid medium comprising water mixed with carbon or dye so as to increase thermal absorption by increasing the thermal capacity of the medium to greater than 4.2 J/g C°;
• an inflow conduit supplying the fluid medium to at least partially fill the cavity of the vessel;
• multiple parabolic reflectors constructed of or coated with reflective material comprising reflective paint or foil, the reflectors integrated into the inner sidewall of the vessel, the parabolic configuration of the reflectors creates one or more parabolic foci of solar radiation throughout the fluid medium that intensifies the heat being generated in the fluid medium so as to create hot zones in the fluid medium, the hot zones allows heating the fluid medium to the predetermined thermal capacity;
• and
• an insulated outlet conduit in communication with the vessel, the insulated outlet conduit carrying the heated fluid medium to a second vessel, or to a heat exchanger, or a boiler or to an energy recovery assembly.