Abstract: Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprises a collector having a solar-energy collector surface. The collector is mounted on a support and is pivotable between an exposed position in which the collector surface faces the sun and a substantially-horizontal sheltered position in which the collector surface faces the earth, thereby protecting the collector surface from the elements and facilitating access thereto for maintenance.

Abstract: A process and a plant for the recovery of water from humid air are disclosed. Humid ambient air flows through an adsorber in which an adsorbing agent removes moisture from the air by adsorption. Subsequently, air heated by an air heater and delivered by a fan flows through the adsorber in order to recover by desorption the moisture from the moistened adsorbing agent. Thereafter, the water vapor-containing air is precooled in a counterflow heat exchanger and subsequently conducted into a condenser in which heat is extracted from it by means of a heat pump so that the water vapor condenses and is available in the form of liquid water. The air cooled and dried in the condenser is utilized in the counterflow heat exchanger for precooling the air fed into the condenser. The heat given off by the heat pump is supplied to the air heater in order to be utilized therein for heating the air flowing through the air heater.