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 new and improved 2026 Kia EV9 and 2025 EV6 are eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, but one trim is excluded.
Do the Kia EV6 and EV9 qualify for the federal tax credit?
Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, received some pretty major upgrades for its mid-cycle update this year.
The 2025 EV6 features a bigger battery providing more range (now up to 319 miles), a stylish interior and exterior redesign, and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, the EV9, also has a native NACS charging port and will be the first model year to offer a high-performance GT trim.
We got a good look at the EV9 GT at the LA Auto Show last year (check it out here). The sporty electric SUV boasts 501 hp, which is quite a bit more than the current GT-Line’s 379 hp. The added power is enough for the big-body SUV to move from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
Although Kia America’s vice president of sales, Eric Watson, confirmed the EV6 and EV9 are now in “full-scale production” at its plant in West Point, Georgia, not all trims will qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
According to CarsDirect, Kia told dealers that the 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 GT trims wouldn’t be eligible for the credit. A spokesperson said the exclusion is because Kia builds the EV6 GT and EV9 GT in South Korea, while all other trims are assembled in Georgia.
If Trump’s 25% tariff on South Korea is still in effect when the GT models launch in the US, it could create a significant price gap between trims.
Despite this, you will likely still be able to take advantage of the credit through leasing. Kia, like many, is passing the $7,500 on through lease cash, which can significantly cut monthly payments.
Kia will reveal more info, including prices, closer to launch. Check back soon. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
With the new models arriving soon, Kia is offering clearance pricing on outgoing models. Monthly leases start as low as $179. You can use our links below to find deals on the Kia EV6 and EV9 near you.
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Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders today to resuscitate the US coal industry – here’s why this is a complete waste of time.
Once again, using “emergency authority” by citing the growing power needs from data centers, EVs, and AI, the executive orders will allow some old coal-fired power plants scheduled for retirement to stay online.
The orders will also direct federal agencies to identify coal resources on federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining barriers, and prioritize coal leasing on US lands.
An Obama-era moratorium that paused coal leasing on federal lands will officially be acknowledged and federal agencies will be required to scrap policies moving away from US coal production. Trump also wants to boost coal exports and speed up coal technology development.
Electrek’s Take
The coal and mineral industry is happy about this executive order, as well as the EPA recently giving them a free pass to pollute, and the MAGA crowd might think this is great, but no one else thinks this clever.
Trump can try to pretend that coal is “clean,” but it doesn’t change the fact that coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels – its emissions killed 460,000 people between 1999 and 2020. Plus, it’s not even cost-effective – even natural gas is cheaper than coal. And these plants are old – the average age of the plants that are online is 53.
Coal has been in decline for a long time – it peaked in 2007. As I just wrote last month, coal fell to a record low of 15% of total electricity generation in the US in 2024, and wind and solar accounted for 17% of total electricity generation. That’s right – wind and solar successfully provided more power generation in the US than coal last year.
And while electricity demand will indeed skyrocket over the following decades, clean energy is capable of meeting that demand. The Energy Information Administration projects that in 2025, 93% of new power added to the US grid will be from solar, wind, and battery storage.
In an emailed statement, Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council, questioned whether a mandate for Americans to commute by horse and buggy would be next. It’s a fitting sentiment because the fact that I’m even writing a story in 2025 about why trying to revive coal is a bad idea feels ludicrous. Trump seems to forget he’s not William McKinley and this isn’t 1900.
Read more: Renewables to continue driving US power generation growth – EIA
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After a few “technical advances,” BMW is upgrading its EVs with more driving range, features, and options. All BMW i5 models now have more range, while the 2026 iX has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 364 miles.
BMW iX and i5 EVs gain more range
BMW announced 2025 model year updates coming this spring with a few exciting improvements to look forward to.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 features up to 310 miles of range, up from 295 miles in the outgoing model. Meanwhile, the i5 xDrive40 has a driving range of up to 278 miles, up from 266 miles in the 2025 model year.
BMW said that the improvements are due to “a number of technical advances that reduce energy consumption, and, thus, improve their range.” The new i5 uses a more efficient, more powerful SiC inverter, which also powers the new 2026 iX.
All BMW 5 Series models are available with a new Frozen Portimao Blue metallic paint color. Two new Merino leather interior colors have also been added: Dark Violet/Atlas Grey and Taupe/Atlas Grey.
| BMW i5 model | Driving Range (increase from MY2025) |
| i5 eDrive40 (19-in wheels) | 310 mi (+ 5%) |
| i5 eDrive40 (20-in wheels) | 300 mi (+ 8%) |
| i5 eDrive40 (21-in wheels) | 278 mi (+ 3%) |
| i5 xDrive40 (19-in wheels) | 278 mi (+ 5%) |
| i5 xDrive40 (20-in wheels) | 272 mi (+ 4%) |
| i5 xDrive40 (21-in wheels) | 259 mi (+ 4%) |
Although BMW revealed the 2026 iX earlier this year, the company now says it has an even greater EPA-estimated range than it projected.
The 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 is rated with a range of 364 miles when equipped with 20″ Aero wheels on summer tires, 7% higher than the 340 miles it initially expected. It’s also a drastic improvement from the 309-mile rating for the 2025MY.
Despite the upgrades, BMW’s electric SUV gets a $12,100 price cut thanks to a new entry-level xDrive45 model, which starts at just $75,150.
| Horsepower | Starting Price* | Driving Range | |
| 2026 BMW iX xDrive45 | 402 hp | $75,150 | 312 miles |
| 2026 BMW iX xDrive60 | 536 hp | $88,500 | 364 miles |
| 2026 BMW iX M70 | 650 hp | $115,500 | 303 miles |
BMW fine-tuned the exterior, which now includes new vertical headlights and a revamped Kidney Grille that illuminates.
The 2026 BMW iX is also the first BMW to feature its new Curved Display OS with video streaming, in-car gaming, and more.
Ready to try out BMW’s electric cars for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find BMW iX and i5 models near you.
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