SolarSteam core technology is a concentrating solar-thermal solution that leverages lightweight solar curved (parabolic trough) mirrors housed within a transparent enclosed structure. Their novel design serves to concentrate the sun’s thermal energy onto a specialized receiver, and concentrated sunlight is then used to directly heat fluids (water, molten salt, or thermal oil) to produce steam or hot water which can be utilized for industrial processes, space heating and cooling, and agricultural technology applications. The enclosure structure maximizes solar transmissivity whilst providing sufficient protection from extreme weather, including wind, rain, snow, and hail loading.