CO_2 photoreduction is an attractive process which allows the storage of solar energy and synthesis of solar fuels. Many different photocatalytic systems have been developed, while the alternative photo-reactors are still insufficiently investigated. In this work, photoreduction of CO_2 with H_2O into CH_4 was investigated in a modified concentrating solar reactor, using TiO_2 and Pt/TiO_2 as the catalysts. The TiO_2 and Pt/TiO_2 samples were extensively characterized by different techniques including powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), N_2 adsorption/desorption and UV–vis absorption. The catalytic performance of the TiO_2 and Pt/TiO_2 samples in the gas phase was evaluated under unconcentrated and concentrated Xe-lamp light and nature solar light with different concentrating ratios. Various parameters of the reaction system and the catalysts were investigated and optimized to maximize the catalytic performance of CO_2 reduction system. Compared with the normal light irradiation, the TiO_2 and Pt/TiO_2 samples show higher photocatalytic activity(about 6–7 times) for reducing CO_2 into CH_4 under concentrated Xe-lamp light and nature solar light. In the range of experimental light intensity, it is found that the concentration of the light makes it suitable for the catalytic reaction, and increases the utilization efficiency of the TiO_2 and Pt/TiO_2 samples while does not decrease the quantum efficiency. CO 2 photoreduction is an attractive process which allows the storage of solar energy and synthesis of solar fuels. Many different photocatalytic systems have been developed, while the alternative photo-reactors are still insufficiently investigated. In this work, photoreduction of CO_2 with H_2O into CH_4 was The TiO 2 and Pt / TiO 2 samples were extensively characterized by different techniques including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 adsorption / desorption and UV-vis absorption . The catalytic performance of the TiO 2 and Pt / TiO 2 samples in the gas phase was evaluated under unconcentrated and concentrated Xe-lamp light and nature solar light with different concentrating ratios. Various parameters of the reaction system and the catalysts were investigated and optimized to maximize the catalytic performance of CO 2 reduction system. Compared with the normal light irradiation, the TiO_ 2 and Pt / TiO_2 samples show higher photocatalytic activity (about 6-7 times) for reducing CO_2 into CH_4 under concentrated Xe-lamp light and nature solar light. In the range of experimental light intensity, it is found that the concentration of the light makes it suitable for the catalytic reaction, and increases the utilization efficiency of the TiO_2 and Pt / TiO_2 samples while not decreasing the quantum efficiency.