Abstract: An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.

Abstract: A heat buffering system that has a hydrant boiler for storing energy and a hut for housing the hydrant boiler outside a building being heated using the energy stored in the hydrant boiler. The hut is insulated. The system has a heat source coupling for connecting a local solar energy collector to the hydrant boiler. Heat is stored in the hydrant boiler in separately controllable layers. Heat is transferred from one of the layers to at least one other layer. A controller is configured to control charging and discharging of the hydrant boiler based on the weather forecast. Buffered energy can be used for heating the building or for selling to others via district heating.

Abstract: An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.