Writer Matt Cheok came across a very curious structure while travelling Uzbekistan...
Uzbekistan offers more than its ancient Silk Road, mighty caravans, and stunning mosaic architecture. It’s also home to a colossal solar furnace that harnesses the sun's power with an array of giant mirrors, resembling something straight out of a sci-fi film.
I first hear about the solar furnace by chance while chatting with another traveller over a beer in my accommodation in Tashkent. Armed with the details of its location, the next morning, I step out into the city’s sweltering 42°C heat and hop into a Yandex ride-share for an hour-long journey east.
Interestingly, ride-share apps are more affordable and convenient in Uzbekistan than other modes of transportation, even for long trips like this one. As I quickly discover, getting to the site by any other means is nearly impossible.
About 30 minutes into our ride, the driver glances back, a look of curiosity on his face. He asks why I’ve come all this way to visit a work site when most visitors prefer the stunning Islamic architecture in the city.
I explain that my fascination with Soviet relics in Central Asia is what draws me here. He smiles, clearly intrigued by my reasons.
When we finally arrive, my eyes light up as I spot what can only be described as a giant heat gun. I gasp at the sight of the enormous, futuristic-looking solar furnace, which stands an impressive 54 metres high. Its parabolic mirror focuses sunlight onto a single point, generating temperatures of over 3000°C in mere seconds.
I wander around for about 20 minutes, searching for someone to give me a tour of the site. So far, I’ve only been met with puzzled looks from workers installing new mirrors.
Eventually, I spot what appears to be an office. Using Google Translate, I manage to communicate with the man inside. He nods, we agree on a price, and he tells me to wait while he finds someone to show me around.
About 15 minutes later, a man appears and gestures that the tour is about to begin. It’s just me, a private tour for one. The experience feels far from formal; it’s more like a working site than a tourist attraction, truly pushing the boundaries of off-the-beaten-path travel.
My guide directs me to climb the shaky external staircase to the top of the furnace. The ascent is intimidating—the grates reveal a steep drop below, and the structure feels precarious.
The origins of the project trace back to 1940, when Tashkent established its first technical laboratory. In the 1950s, Sadik Asimov, a prominent Uzbek scientist, transitioned from nuclear physics research to renewable energy, paving the way for the creation of the solar furnace.
Construction of the furnace began in 1981, and by 1986, the research facility was fully operational. The Physics-Sun Research and Production Association was officially founded in 1987 and built to generate clean, pollutant-free heat.
From the top, gazing down at the massive, staggered heliostats, the view is almost surreal.
Positioned on the hillside, the 62 heliostats follow the sun, directing its energy onto a central parabolic concentrator that channels the focused light into the furnace’s manufacturing tower. Each heliostat, composed of 195 small mirrors and sensors, aligns with precision to harness sunlight with pinpoint accuracy.
Uzbekistan’s solar furnace isn’t just an incredible engineering feat but also a testament to the country’s impressive scientific and industrial legacy. Built during the Soviet era, it served as a centre for high-temperature research and industrial experiments, playing a significant role in Cold War-era studies.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, funding dwindled, leading to the abandonment of many projects. However, the facility was revitalised in 1993 with the establishment of the Institute of Materials Science, NPO “Physics-Sun.”
Today, the site primarily focuses on material experiments, ceramics development, and extreme heat research. For visitors like myself, it offers a rare glimpse into cutting-edge technology used in both science and industry while also providing a fascinating look into its history.
The solar furnace was strategically built in Parkent, where clear skies prevail for approximately 270 days a year, providing ideal conditions for consistent energy production year-round.
A ride from Tashkent via Yandex will cost around $6 AUD (one way), and you can ask the driver to wait for a little extra. Alternatively, you can take a marshrutka (shared-taxi) to Parkent and then a taxi to the site. The tour lasts about 40 minutes, after which you're free to explore independently.
The entrance to the complex costs 50,000 Uzbek som ($6 AUD) per person, with an additional guiding fee of 150,000 Uzbek som ($18 AUD). The site is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We recommend bringing cash, as the card machine on-site doesn’t always work.
If you love Soviet relics, offbeat travel, and unique intersections of science and history, this solar furnace offers a truly unforgettable experience.
Hero image 📸 Matt Cheok
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