Based on thermodynamic equation and actual collector parameters

thermal model of parabolic trough solar energy collector is established and thermodynamic analysis is carried out. From the aspects of the first and second laws of thermodynamics

factors affecting the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of the collector are analyzed and discussed. The results show that

main factors affecting the performance of the trough collector are solar radiation

temperature and flow of heat transfer materials

vacuum conditions and environmental conditions(such as wind speed)

among which the optical loss is the main energy loss

and the exergy loss of the absorption tube is the major exergy loss.