Startup systems and methods for solar boilers

A startup system for a solar boiler comprising:

• a) a main fluid circuit including a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy and a drum for separating steam from liquid water, wherein the plurality of solar boiler panels includes a plurality of steam generator panels;
• b) an auxiliary fluid circuit that is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit;
• c) a plurality of valves connecting the main fluid circuit and the auxiliary fluid circuit for selectively allowing fluid communication therebetween;
• d) an auxiliary boiler operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit, wherein the valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy;
• and
• e) a steam generator isolation valve connected between a liquid water outlet of the drum and an inlet of the steam generator panels, that in an open state connects the steam generator panels to the drum to heat the steam generator panels to a temperature around that of the drum using heat from solar energy.