The thermal stress on conventional trough solar collector is relatively larger due to uneven light concentration. To solve this problem

a new type trough solar energy collector structure was put forward. Moreover

by using the Monte Carlo light tracing law and the finite element method

the concentrating characteristics of the new type collector

the performances of thermal strain and thermal stress of the collector tube as well as the heat flux distribution around the collector were obtained. On this basis

surrounding temperature field distribution of the heat collector tube was analyzed and the thermal stress on the thermal collector was calculated. The results show that

compared with the conventional trough solar collector

the heat flux density of the new solar trough collector's tube is more uniform in the circumferential direction of the heat collecting tubes

so the stress and strain distribution are also improved. As a result

the life of the solar collector can be effectively prolonged.