Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for heating a fluid using solar energy. The apparatus comprises: a fluid source, a first chamber comprising a fluid inlet to allow one-way movement of a fluid from the fluid source to the first chamber, a second chamber comprising a fluid outlet to allow the controlled movement of a fluid internal the second chamber to a further chamber or external the apparatus, and a fluid connection between the first and second chambers to allow substantially one-way movement of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. Each of the chambers is fluid tight and configured as a solar collector to heat a fluid therein. The apparatus as a whole operates such that under even incident solar radiation a fluid is heated in each of the chambers and upon thermal expansion of the fluid, the fluid is moved in a controlled manner substantially one-way from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to a further chamber or to the outside the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collector (18) including an outer casing (20) having at least one aperture (22) disposed therein and an absorber (24) disposed within the outer casing (20). The aperture (22) is arranged to receive a beam (16) of solar radiation therethrough so that the beam (16) is incident on the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged in use to absorb the energy of the beam of solar radiation and to thereby convert solar radiation to heat energy to heat a fluid communicated through the absorber (24). The absorber (24) is arranged to be moved by a moving means to promote even heating of the absorber (24).