Solar concentrator, solar receiver and thermal storage

A solar concentrator comprising:

• a base;
• a framework, the framework being hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated relative to the base;
• and
• a plurality of mirrors arranged relative to a first axis of the framework, each mirror being fixed to the framework and each mirror being arranged to reflect light travelling parallel to the first axis towards a common focus which lies on the first axis,
• the mirrors being arranged such that the first axis can be directed substantially towards the horizon of a ground plane by rotating the framework relative to the base while the base is rested on that ground plane, wherein the framework is hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated around a second axis other than the first axis, the second axis being coincident with the common focus.

A solar concentrator comprising:

• a base;
• a framework, the framework being hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated relative to the base;
• and
• a plurality of mirrors arranged relative to a first axis of the framework, such that a majority of the area of the reflective surfaces of the mirrors is located on one side of a plane which contains the first axis, each mirror being fixed to the framework and each mirror being arranged to reflect light travelling parallel to the first axis towards a common focus which lies on the first axis, wherein the framework is hingedly joined to the base such that the framework can be rotated around a second axis other than the first axis, the second axis being coincident with the common focus.