Solar thermochemical processing system and method

A method of storing solar energy, the method comprising:

• providing reactants to a first endothermic reactor to produce a first set of products, wherein the first endothermic reactor receives at least some concentrated solar energy as a heat source;
• further reacting the first set of products in a first exothermic reactor to produce a second set of products, wherein the heat of the reaction from the first exothermic reactor is provided to the first endothermic reactor to supplement the concentrated solar energy;
• wherein the first endothermic reactor comprises a methane steam reforming catalyst and wherein the reactants comprise methane and steam, wherein the first set of products comprises syngas;
• wherein the first exothermic reactor comprises a methanol synthesis reactor;
• wherein the step in which the heat of reaction from the first exothermic reactor is provided to the first endothermic reaction comprises preheating the reactants using heat from the methanol synthesis reactor to vaporize water to form steam and then providing the steam to the first endothermic reactor;
• and
• separating the second set of products to store fuel.