The German research and development programme "Solares Testzentrum Almeria" (SOTA) provides the scientific basis for the realization of advanced solar technologies including facility modifications, component tests and new lines of development. One of the working packages, WP 300, addresses the "scientific support" by the performance of preparatory studies, exploratory activities and qualified expertise. Universities, research institutes and company research and development entities in Germany are enabled to treat the following aspects: meteorological, system and cost investigations, development of important components as concentrators, receivers and storage, and utilization of solar energy for process heat and chemical reactions. In 1990 the studies covered developments of terminal concentrators, receivers, integrated receiver/reactors, and solar chemistry processes. The reports of the activities were finalized recently and collected in the present volume.