Solarflux FOCUS Parabolic Dish Concentrator Converts 72% Of Solar Energy Into Usable Heat
Solarflux, a company specializing in parabolic dish concentrator technology, has developed the FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator, which converts 72% of the solar energy it gets into usable heat. This news comes from Solarflux, which just announced the results of an independent report by Lehigh University’s Energy Research Center. The report was conducted in close accordance with the methods outlined in the ASTM 905-87 industry standard relating to solar concentrators.
The report reviewed the Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator’s performance test results. It showed that the device demonstrated solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency of 72%, meaning that once solar energy arrives at the FOCUS, 72% of it is converted into usable heat.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The company noted that its solar-to-conversion efficiency is comparable to best-in-class solar-to-thermal conversion performance from alternative concentrating solar power (CSP) systems such as parabolic troughs. The difference, however, is that the FOCUS is a full, two-axis tracking device that is able to maintain perfect alignment with the sun from dawn until dusk at all latitudes.
This enables the delivery of maximum conversion efficiency throughout the day and year-round, which reportedly gives the FOCUS a significantly higher annual energy yield than alternative CSPs. FOCUS has outperformed parabolic troughs by up to 50% or more depending on the system’s peak capacity and site location.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The new FOCUS dish seems to offer a low-cost, low-maintenance, zero-emission modular thermal energy solution that can be used in a variety of ways. These include:
- Industrial process heat.
- Water desalination and purification.
- Space heating and cooling.
- Hot water.
- Remote power generation.
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
I had a quick chat with Solarflux CEO and founder Naoise Irwin, who said:
“This report provides independent confirmation of what we have long known — that the FOCUS solar concentrator is the highest performing solar technology out there.
“With a low lifetime cost of energy and room for further performance improvements, we are excited about the prospects for the FOCUS.”
Additional Information About Solarflux FOCUS
Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator. Photo courtesy of Solarflux, used with permission.
The FOCUS is said to have a small physical footprint relative to other solar energy technologies. The company says that its thermal energy storage solution is around 1/10th of the price of battery storage, which allows FOCUS to be used to power nighttime operations sustainably at a low cost, and in remote locations.
It’s made up of mostly aluminum and steel and is highly recyclable. It doesn’t have an e-waste problem or toxic substances to manage at the end of its life. The thermal energy that FOCUS produces can be used for many things. Irwin pointed out, as well, that many of these uses can be helpful to mining companies of various sorts — due to the efficiency and capability in remote locations as well as the diversity of uses.
Earlier this spring, Solarflux shared a blog post titled, “The Promise of Parabolic Dish CSP Technology,” which pointed out that parabolic dishes are commonly understood as the most efficient concentrating solar power CSP technology and noted that the promise has been long recognized.
The article described some of the challenges that CSP has faced as an industry over the past decade, but explained that the Solarflux team earnestly believes that CSP, especially the parabolic dish, has significant potential, most notably as a distributed solar thermal (versus electrical) energy technology. Citing the IEA, the article pointed out that heat is the largest energy end-use and it accounts for over 50% of energy consumption. Half of this is used by industry, with a balance used for space and water heating (think cooking in homes and buildings) and agriculture with only around 10% of the heat being provided by renewable technologies.
Another large energy consumer mentioned was air conditioning, which accounts for up to 27% of home energy consumption in parts of the US. Mine is definitely in that number — heat domes are not fun! Solarflux noted that air conditioning can be more energy efficient if it uses a thermal energy source along with an absorption chiller. You can read more here.
The bright yellow D6 XE dozer might look like your everyday medium-class dozer, but underneath that vibrant bodywork it’s hiding a highly efficient electric drive system that Cat says makes it the most advanced hybrid dozer on the market.
Operating more like an extended range EV (EREV) than a conventional hybrid, the D6 XE runs a Cat C9.3B diesel engine that operates as an electrical generator, feeding power to electric motors that drives the dozer’s tracks directly. The result is instant torque, smooth, high-precision controls, and 35% better fuel efficiency (and, as a consequence, significantly lower emissions) compared to the diesel-only D6T.
35% is big in a segment where equipment can and do regularly burn 25 gallons of red dye diesel per day, and that number only gets bigger when you factor in the oil and maintenance costs saved from ditching the conventional transmission altogether. Combined with the reduced number of moving parts and reduced metal fatigue from vibration-free running, and Cat estimates its D6 XE electric drive operators are saving over $1/hour of operation in rebuild savings, alone — that’s a game-changing number!
“(A full rebuild) can be up to roughly 60 percent of new machine price,” says Sam Meeker, marketing professional at Caterpillar, citing the need for a typical rebuild at the 10,000- to 15,000-hour mark. “So you could be getting a half-price dozer for that second life.”
Turbo encabulator
First introduced in 2018, the newly updated Cat D6 XE features a switched reluctance electric motor and generator instead of the previous, permanent magnet system used in the first-gen Caterpillar electric-drive machines. The newer drivetrain is more power-dense and efficient, and makes for a generator that doesn’t require a massive, maintenance-intensive cooling system.
“We like to run this machine at a lower RPM, not only for fuel efficiency, but then it allows us to lug up into a load,” adds Meeker, hyping up the big hybrid dozer. “So when we pull the load on, instead of the tractor lugging down, it actually increases the RPM and the power output, maintaining that consistent torque … we only make as much power as we’re going to use, and we generate less heat than previous designs.”
In a bid to encourage more operators to give their electric drive models a try, Caterpillar is offering on-demand learning resources through its online platform, catoperatortraining.com. Designed to be accessible any time and from any device, Cat’s is particularly valuable for operators, whether they’re digital natives or just learning how to navigate new technologies. The company is also partnering with global equipment rental fleets like Plantforce in the UK, which (if nothing else) is absolutely phenomenal at taking pictures of heavy equipment.
Electrek’s Take
While there are a lot of people outside the urban construction space who may scoff at environmental concerns, the quest for improved efficiency and cost reduction among commercial fleet managers knows no political ideology. Add in more restrictive noise regulations and the side benefits of improved job site safety and fewer sick days, and electric equipment is a no-brainer.
Simply put: If it’s better or cheaper, fleets will buy it. If it’s better and cheaper, they’ll buy two — and electrically driven heavy equipment assets are proving to be consistently better, in a broader scope of use cases, than diesel alone.
SOURCE: Caterpillar, via Heavy Equipment Guide; featured image by Plantforce.
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A report this morning detailed American EV automaker Rivian’s plans to lay off a portion of its current workforce as it tries to conserve cash while gearing up for the launch of its newest model, the R2, next year.
Not much backstory here, so we’ll get right into it.
A report from the Wall Street Journal this morning shared brief details of Rivian’s layoff plans, which could affect approximately 4% of the current staff. At the end of 2024, Rivian’s workforce tally sat around 15,000 people, so the reported layoff could affect as many as 600 individuals, possibly more.
Other outlets have pointed out that EV automakers like Rivian have faced a tougher market following the end of the $7,500 federal tax incentive. While that may be true to a certain extent, most of Rivian’s R1 variants didn’t qualify, unless it was a lease, and the automaker has deployed its own incentive programs.
In fact, Rivian’s Q3 2025 deliveries exceeded expectations. It remains speculative at this point until we receive an official statement from Rivian explaining the plans to lay off staff, but this could be a preemptive decision based on market forecasts.
Furthermore, Rivian is closer than ever to launching R2 in 2026, which has the makings of becoming a bestseller in the EV industry if sales match a mere portion of the hype surrounding it. The layoffs could also be a lean-down to conserve funds through the home stretch of that development process before beefing back up again in 2026 or 2027 when demand is (ideally) higher.
We really do not and will not know the reasoning behind the decision until Rivian shares more information.
We reached out to Rivian for comment and were told the automaker will have more to share this afternoon. We will update this story as new information becomes available.
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![Hyundai's new IONIQ 6 looks way better in person after its facelift [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Hyundai-IONIQ-6-facelift-US.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hyundai will reveal the refreshed electric fastback at the LA Auto Show next month. Ahead of the event, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 was caught rocking a sleek new facelift in the US.
Hyundai will reveal the IONIQ 6 facelift in November
Hyundai’s electrified streamliner is undergoing its first major refresh since it first launched in September 2022. Although the IONIQ 6 was expected to be Hyundai’s answer to the Tesla Model 3, it hasn’t quite lived up to the hype.
Last year, Hyundai sold just 12,264 IONIQ 6s in the US. That’s less than the nearly 13,000 it handed over in 2023.
The IONIQ 5, on the other hand, has remained one of the most popular EVs alongside the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, Chevy Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Honda Prologue.
Like the 2025 IONIQ 5, Hyundai gave its electric fastback a facelift, a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers, and a bigger battery to extend driving range.
After launching the 2026 IONIQ 6 in South Korea in July, Hyundai will introduce the updated US model at the LA Auto Show next month.
Although we’ve seen plenty of the same web-generated images floating around, the new and improved IONIQ 6 looks way better in person.
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 was spotted on public streets in California rocking a stylish new look ahead of its official debut.
Hyundai said it “enhanced every line and detail to make the IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive,” after unveiling the design at the Seoul Mobility Show earlier this year.
The video from KindelAuto gives us a clear look at the redesign. Hyundai tweaked the front end, which was often the most criticized part, with a new hood and updated fascia.
In South Korea, the 2026 IONIQ 6 is now the longest-range domestically made electric vehicle, with up to 350 miles (562 km) of driving range.
We will learn prices, driving range, and other details at the LA Auto Show next month. The event starts on November 21, but the media and press day kicks off the day before on November 20, 2025. Check back soon for the full rundown.
The 2025 IONIQ 6 already has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 342 miles. With Hyundai’s fourth-gen batteries, we could see the 2026 model arrive with around 350 miles of range. It will also feature an NACS port for the first time.
Hyundai also plans to introduce the IONIQ 6 N in early 2026. The sporty model packs nearly 650 horsepower (478 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 3.2 seconds.
With the updated 2026 models arriving, Hyundai is offering some sweet deals on its current EV lineup. The 2025 IONIQ 6 is available for lease starting at $229 per month, or you can take advantage of 0% APR or a $7,500 cash bonus. Looking for something bigger? The 2025 IONIQ 5 may be an even better bet with up to $11,000 in bonus cash. Check out our links below to find Hyundai vehicles in your area.
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