Rioglass Solar Holding

What Rioglass Solar Holding does

Rioglass Solar Holding, S.A. is a privately held Spanish manufacturer founded in 2007 and headquartered in Pola de Lena, Asturias, that designs and produces key optical components for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) plants. Its core product portfolio comprises tempered parabolic trough mirrors (>94% reflectivity, with over 10 million units supplied globally), heliostat mirror facets with integrated backing panels (>95.5% reflectivity), and PTR® parabolic trough receiver (HCE) tubes (solar absorptance α ≥ 96.2%, thermal emission ε ≤ 9.5%), all manufactured in-house at facilities in Mieres (Asturias) and Aznalcollar (Seville) using internally developed production processes and equipment.

The company's primary customers are utility-scale CSP project developers, energy companies, EPC firms (Abengoa, Shanghai Electric) and O&M companies serving landmark plants such as the Dubai Noor Energy 1 (700 MW CSP + 250 MW PV), Khi Solar One (South Africa, 50 MW tower), Kathu and Kaxu Solar Parks (South Africa, 100 MW trough each), Gemasolar (Spain, 50 MW tower), and the Moroccan Noor 1/2/3 complex. Rioglass generates revenue through three streams: (1) hardware sales of optical components delivered against multi-year project contracts, (2) long-term O&M services including patented InFRReS® argon-injection recovery and RioH2Meter® hydrogen monitoring, and (3) industrial green energy solutions — primarily photovoltaic PPAs, renewable heat supply (40°C-220°C), and green hydrogen/ammonia — sold directly to commercial and industrial customers (e.g., LatemAluminium) under multi-year fixed-price supply agreements where Rioglass finances and operates the asset.

Rioglass has executed strategic acquisitions of Siemens CSP's receiver technology (2016) and Schott Solar CSP's receiver business (2017) to consolidate HCE IP, and has participated in multiple EU Horizon 2020 and CDTI-funded R&D programmes (WASCOP, MOSAIC, SOLWARIS, THESEUS, INNSOLAR, REHYTEC, NUEVOPTR, NEOSOLAR) to develop next-generation coatings, molten-salt receivers, and anti-soiling/anti-condensation technologies. The group is currently expanding into an industrial PPA/heat/hydrogen business line and launched "green mirror" manufacturing at its Mieres plant using locally generated renewable electricity in 2024, while continuing to serve as the global market leader in CSP optical components with over 3.5 GWe of parabolic trough mirrors operational worldwide.

Name

Rioglass Solar Holding

Legal name

RIOGLASS SOLAR HOLDING, S.A.

Website

https://rioglass.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Rioglass Solar Holding is a Spanish manufacturer and global market leader in optical components for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), producing tempered parabolic mirrors, heliostat mirror facets, and PTR® receiver tubes for utility-scale plant developers, EPCs, and O&M firms across Europe, MENA, Africa, and the Americas. It also delivers O&M services and industrial PPA/heat/hydrogen solutions to commercial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Optical Components

NAICS

Flat Glass Manufacturing (327211)

SIC

Flat Glass (3211), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Thermal & CSP Systems (Collectors, Receivers, Thermal Storage, CSP EPC) (EUAMABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Plant Components Supply & Manufacturing (Modules, Cells, Wafers, Mirrors, Heliostats) (EUACAGAK), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF), Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

Keywords

• Concentrated solar power components
• Parabolic trough mirrors
• Receiver tubes manufacturing
• Heliostat mirror facets
• Solar thermal optical components

Headquarters

HQ city

Lena

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CSP/CPV Optical Component Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of key optical components for CSP (concentrated solar power) and CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) technologies, including tempered parabolic mirrors, heliostat mirror facets, and receiver tubes (PTR®). Sold directly to energy companies, EPC firms, project developers, and O&M companies globally. This is the core revenue stream driving company leadership in the global CSP market.
2. O&M Services: Operation and maintenance services for renewable power plants, including real-time asset monitoring, preventive/predictive maintenance, corrective maintenance, specialized services (thermographic analysis, I-V curve analysis, electroluminescence, mirror/receiver tube replacement), and auxiliary services for both PV and solar thermal plants. Long-term service contracts with plant operators.
3. Industrial Green Energy Solutions (PPA, Heat, Hydrogen): Rioglass invests in and operates renewable energy installations (rooftop PV, heat supply, green ammonia/hydrogen) for industrial customers. Clients pay a fixed price for renewable energy supply with no upfront investment required. Revenue derived from long-term energy supply contracts. At contract end, installation transfers to client ownership.
4. Solar Field Quality & Performance Surveys: Specialized consulting services for quality, safety, and performance assessment of solar fields, including thermographic surveys of PV systems, damage detection, and disconnected string identification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rioglass Solar designs and manufactures the three critical optical components used in concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) plants: tempered parabolic trough mirrors, heliostat mirror facets, and PTR® Heat Collecting Element (HCE) receiver tubes. The company also delivers operation and maintenance services for renewable power plants, and offers zero-upfront-cost industrial green energy solutions (photovoltaic PPA, renewable heat, and green hydrogen) to commercial and industrial customers.

Product overview

Rioglass Solar is a global market leader in the design and manufacturing of key optical components for concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technologies. The company's core product portfolio includes Parabolic Trough Mirrors, Heliostat Mirror Facets, and PTR® Receiver Tubes (HCE Tubes), along with the MicroTrough variant for smaller applications. These products serve four main CSP/CPV technology types: parabolic trough, Linear Fresnel Reflector, central tower/power tower, and dish/Stirling systems. The company also offers complementary services including O&M Services for renewable power plants, Industrial Solutions for green energy (photovoltaic PPA, renewable heat, green hydrogen/ammonia), and R&D&E services. Specialized proprietary offerings include InFRReS® for receiver recovery and RioH2Meter® for real-time hydrogen monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PTR®: Parabolic Trough Receiver - registered brand name for Heat Collecting Elements (HCE) tubes for linear CSP applications, available in PTR® 70, PTR® 80, and PTR® 90 mm diameters.
• MicroTrough®
• InFRReS®
• RioH2Meter®

Products and services

• Parabolic Trough Mirrors Tempered parabolic mirrors for CSP plants with reflectivity up to 94.5%, extremely low breakage rates, and 25–35 year design lifetimes; produced with silver reflective layer, copper layer, and three protective paint layers. Sold to energy companies, EPC firms, and project developers for concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaic plants.
• Heliostat Mirror Facets Ultra-rigid heliostat mirror facets with integrated backing panel for central tower CSP technology, providing average reflectivity >95.5%, precision <1.5 mrad total RMS, and high mechanical stability under wind loads. Replaces the metal intermediate support, reducing heliostat weight, cost per m² of reflective surface, and assembly time.
• PTR® Receiver Tubes (HCE Tubes) Linear absorber (Heat Collecting Element) tubes for parabolic trough CSP applications, available in PTR® 70, PTR® 80, and PTR® 90 mm diameters with lengths of 4,060 mm (PTR® 70 & 90) and 4,386 mm (PTR® 80). Feature extremely high solar absorption (α ≥ 96.2%), low emission rate (ε ≤ 9.5%), low heat losses, increased thermal production, and long-term hydrogen prevention.
• MicroTrough® Mirrors Standardized and custom-designed tempered ultra-clear glass mirrors (1,500 x 1,060 x 4 mm standard) for smaller parabolic trough applications in industrial processes, district heating, and cooling units, with 94.0% average reflectivity.
• CSP Technology Solutions Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) technology solutions covering parabolic trough, Linear Fresnel Reflector, central tower / power tower, and dish / Stirling systems, with corresponding optical components (mirrors and HCE tubes) supplied for each technology type.
• O&M Services Operation and maintenance services for renewable power plants, including real-time asset monitoring, preventive and predictive maintenance, corrective maintenance, thermographic analysis with drone flight, I-V curve analysis, electroluminescence testing, mirror and receiver tube replacement, and module cleaning for both PV and solar thermal plants. Sold to plant operators and O&M companies.
• Industrial Green Energy Solutions Zero-upfront-cost green energy solutions for industrial customers, including photovoltaic electricity supply (rooftop/self-consumption PPA), renewable heat supply (40°C to 220°C for industrial processes), green ammonia and hydrogen supply, and quality, safety, and performance surveys on solar fields. Rioglass invests in, designs, installs, and operates the installations; client pays a fixed price for renewable supply over a long-term contract, with the installation transferring to client ownership at contract end.
• R&D&E Services Research, development, and engineering services including new coating development, online measurement systems for dissolved hydrogen, higher-precision glass bending processes, heliostat mirror mounting improvements, and participation in collaborative projects with universities and research institutes.
• InFRReS® (Injection Feeding Receiver Recovery Services) Specialized maintenance service using argon injection into receiver tubes under patented technology, used to recover and maintain performance of CSP receiver tubes in solar thermal plants.
• RioH2Meter® Real-Time Hydrogen Monitoring System Real-time monitoring system for dissolved hydrogen in CSP receiver tubes, used to characterize tube status and define mitigating measures for solar thermal plants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10 million parabolic trough mirrors supplied worldwide, equivalent to over 3.3 GW installed
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• LatemAluminiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2022LatemAluminium signed a photovoltaic self-consumption agreement with Rioglass Solar for its plants in Villadangos del Páramos (León) and Villabrázaro (Zamora). Rioglass installed and operates rooftop PV systems using Alusín Solar aluminum profiles, supplying clean electricity to LatemAluminium under a long-term energy supply contract. Both companies emphasize the circular economy and decarbonization of Spanish industry.
• Abengoa EnergíaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2019Abengoa was the solar field technology provider for the Dubai Noor Energy 1 project (world's largest CSP plant). Rioglass Solar signed contracts to supply PTR 90-4G receiver tubes and 8.2 Parabolic Trough mirrors to all three parabolic trough CSP units totaling 600 MWe, under this partnership.
• Shanghai Electric Group CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2019Shanghai Electric was the EPC contractor for the Dubai Noor Energy 1 CSP project. Rioglass Solar supplied receiver tubes and mirrors for the project's three parabolic trough CSP units (3 × 200 MWe = 600 MWe).
• Acwa PowerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2019Acwa Power developed the Dubai Noor Energy 1 project (700 MW CSP + 250 MW PV hybrid). Rioglass was awarded the largest order in its history to supply optical components for the project.
• DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2019DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) partnered with Acwa Power and Shanghai Electric on the Noor Energy 1 project. Rioglass Solar supplied CSP optical components for this landmark project.
• Qualitas EnergyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualitas Energy owns the Gemasolar plant in southern Spain. Rioglass Solar manufactured next-generation mirror facets with a highly automated assembly process and delivered an advanced assembly solution for replacing damaged heliostat facets, helping restore the plant to full performance.
• Schott Solar CSP GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerRioglass Solar signed an agreement to acquire the receiver business of Schott Solar CSP GmbH, bringing over 15 years of proven HCE tube development expertise into the Rioglass portfolio.
• Siemens CSPcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerRioglass Solar entered the Concentrated Solar Power receiver business by purchasing Siemens CSP's receiver technology and assets, strengthening its position as a supplier of key CSP components.
• IK4-TEKNIKERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIK4-TEKNIKER is the coordinator of the EU Horizon 2020 MOSAIC project, in which Rioglass Solar participates. IK4-TEKNIKER is also involved in Horizon 2020 project kickoff meetings with Rioglass participation.
• Universidad Politécnica de MadridminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in the THESEUS Horizon 2020 project (RTC-2014-2304-3), focused on developing low-concentration photovoltaic systems with high-efficiency solar cells and single-axis tracking systems for large electricity production plants in high-irradiation locations.
• Universidad de CádizminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in the THESEUS Horizon 2020 project alongside Abengoa Solar New Technologies and Rioglass Solar.
• Instituto de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos de ConcentraciónminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute partner in the THESEUS Horizon 2020 project consortium.
• Fundación TeknikerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch foundation partner in the INNSOLAR project (RTC-2016-5555-3) focused on developing innovative coatings for high-reflectance solar mirrors.
• Universidad de Zaragoza (Grupo de Tecnologías Fotónicas)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity research group partner in the REHYTEC project (RTC-2016-5625-3), focused on developing hybrid reflectors for concentrated solar power technology.
• Alusín SolarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlusín Solar supplied aluminum profiles manufactured in Asturias for the 100 kWp photovoltaic self-consumption system installed at Rioglass's mirror production plant in Mieres, Asturias.
• University of Évora (Renewable Energies Chair)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-manager of the Évora Molten Salt Platform (EMSP) research infrastructure alongside the German Aerospace Center (DLR), for applied research in molten salt-driven CSP, SHIP, and thermal energy storage technologies.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operator of the Évora Molten Salt Platform (EMSP) with the University of Évora, for applied research in molten salt-driven CSP and thermal energy storage technologies.
• Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEA coordinated the EU Horizon 2020 WASCOP project, in which Rioglass Solar participated. WASCOP aims to develop innovations in water management for CSP plants, including cooling of the power-block and cleaning of the solar field optical surface.
• TSK Electrónica y Electricidad SA, SpainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSK coordinated the EU Horizon 2020 SOLWARIS project focused on reducing water used by CSP plants through innovations in solar field cleaning, power-block cooling, and recycling systems.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• BrightSource Energy: BrightSource Energy designs and develops solar thermal power plants using proprietary solar receiver technology. As a CSP developer, they participate in the same ecosystem as Rioglass, though primarily in the US market.
• SolarReserve: SolarReserve is a US-based CSP plant developer utilizing molten salt thermal storage technology. While primarily a developer rather than a component supplier, they operate in the same CSP value chain and use similar components sourced from suppliers like Rioglass.

Direct peers

• Flabeg: Flabeg is the most direct competitor to Rioglass in solar mirrors for CSP applications, producing parabolic trough and heliostat mirrors. Both companies target the same CSP plant developers and EPC firms with similar glass-based optical components.
• Torresol Energy: Torresol Energy is a Spanish CSP power plant developer (joint venture between SENER and Masdar). They operate commercial CSP plants that use components similar to those manufactured by Rioglass, making them an adjacent peer in the CSP value chain.
• AGC Solar (Asahi Glass): AGC Solar manufactures tempered glass mirrors and glass-glass modules for solar applications, including CSP. They compete with Rioglass in supplying high-reflectivity tempered glass mirrors to CSP plant developers.

Emerging players

• ACWA Power: ACWA Power is the developer of the Dubai Noor Energy 1 CSP project (a major Rioglass customer) and operates as a power generation developer with CSP exposure. While primarily a customer, they participate in the CSP ecosystem with significant project pipeline.
• Aalborg CSP: Aalborg CSP is a Danish engineering company specializing in CSP technologies including thermal storage systems and receiver development. They compete in CSP research, engineering, and component development.

Broad incumbents

• Saint-Gobain: Saint-Gobain is a major global glass manufacturer with solar/architectural glass products. They compete with Rioglass in flat glass and mirror products for solar applications, though their focus is broader than the CSP niche.
• Abengoa (Solar Business): Abengoa is a major EPC contractor and technology provider for CSP plants, including being the solar field technology provider for Dubai Noor Energy 1. They both partner with and compete against component suppliers, making them adjacent peers in the CSP value chain.
• ENGIE (including Solaer): ENGIE is a global energy company with CSP and renewable energy operations, including solar thermal plant development. They operate across the same renewable energy value chain as Rioglass, though at a much broader scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rioglass
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rioglass-solar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rioglass Solar Holding