Abstract: A device for climate control of a building (20), in which flatly formed external temperature elements (5) at least partially cover an outer side of the building (20), wherein the external temperature-control elements (5) are settable to a predefinable temperature value. Furthermore, a temperature-control element (5) and a method for climate control of a building (20) are specified.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a receiver for receiving radiation from a heliostat array that includes at least one external panel configured to form an internal cavity and an open face. The open face is positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and forms an entrance to the internal cavity. The receiver also includes at least one internal panel positioned within the cavity and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the at least one internal panel includes at least one channel configured to distribute a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for thermal management of battery units made-up of a plurality of battery cells or containers housing one or more battery cells is disclosed. The heat exchanger has a main body portion formed by a pair of outer plates and an intermediate plate defining a primary heat transfer surface on either side of the heat exchanger for contacting a corresponding surface of at least one of the battery cells or containers. The intermediate plate together with the outer plates forming a plurality of alternating first and second fluid flow passages the flow direction through the first fluid flow passages being generally opposite to the flow direction through the second fluid flow passages. The first and second fluid flow passages are formed on opposite sides of the intermediate plate and are fluidly interconnected at corresponding ends creating a counter-flow arrangement through the main body portion of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A solar collector, in particular a solar thermal collector, is formed of at least one circuit transporting a heat transfer fluid, and includes at least one insulator, in particular in the form of at least one layer, formed of flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) or mineral fibers. A process is provided for insulating or manufacturing a solar collector into which flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) and/or mineral fibers are blown, as insulator, in particular without adding binder or water.

Abstract: A flat plate heating solar panel comprised of polymer materials that can withstand relatively high temperatures. The polymer materials utilized in the panel have similar thermal expansion characteristics so that different components can by connected to each other without excessive stresses and damage during temperature changes, and with major components capable of being fabricated by molding processes, including extrusion and injection molding. An expansion joint or slot is provided in the enclosure frame to allow relative movement between the header connector and the frame in order to minimize stresses when large temperature differences exist between the absorber/header and the frame, and the slot design also provides a vent to relieve excessive air pressures inside the panel at high temperatures.

Abstract: A solar receiver, designed to use a heat transfer medium, includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is arranged and configured to enable the heat transfer medium to flow in at least one flow direction, one flow direction defining a pass, to obtain unique mass flux in each pass to optimize the heat flux capability of the pass while minimizing pressure drop across the selected passes of the heat transfer surface. A method thereof is also provided.

Abstract: Heat exchanger having a housing, having a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, the housing being in fluid communication with a fluid circuit, and a fluid flowing through said housing, by means of said fluid connections, wherein the housing a housing upper part and a housing lower part, wherein the housing lower part can be connected to the housing upper part by a connecting element by means of an interlocking and/or cohesive connection, wherein the connecting element has a large number of stud-like elements which are connected to one another by means of connecting crosspieces, wherein the connecting element has an at least partially circumferential edge, and at least the stud-like elements and/or the edge are/is in contact with the housing upper part and/or the housing lower part.

Abstract: Deck components and related systems and methods for circulating a fluid for thermally cooling and/or heating a deck component. An exemplary embodiment of a deck component has a body that comprises a passageway for receiving a fluid, which is adapted to cool and/or heat the deck component. The passageway may extend partially or completely through the body of the deck component.

Abstract: The present application relates to a solar array field (100) having an improved configuration, comprising a plurality of vacuum solar thermal panel (1) and a hydraulic circuit (10) for circulating a heat transfer fluid, said hydraulic circuit (10) comprising at least one circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) connecting a low-temperature inlet (11) to a high-temperature outlet (12), said circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) comprising a forward portion (15) successively traversing a plurality of vacuum solar thermal panels (1); said circulation path (13, 14, 15, 16) further comprising a return portion (16) connected downstream to said forward portion (15), said return portion (16) traversing the same vacuum solar thermal panels (1) in reverse order.

Abstract: The teachings generally relate to a system for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy using a self-contained system having a plurality of channels for the heat transfer using a respective plurality of fluids.

Abstract: A central receiver for a solar power facility is provided comprising an arrangement of heat absorber tubes located in a chamber having a window that, in use, is to receive solar radiation reflected by a heliostat field. The heat absorber tubes extend transversely relative to the window and are connected into a working fluid circuit. The window forms an atmospheric air inlet and the chamber has an outlet in a region opposite the window. An air flow promoting fan induces a flow of atmospheric air inwards through the window, past the absorber tubes; and through the outlet. The receiver preferably includes multiple rows of unpressurized louvers or panes having oblique frontal surfaces such that reflected rays travel into the chamber and provide a leading row in which the temperature of the louvers is, under operating conditions, maintained at a level low enough to reduce thermal reflection and radiation losses.

Abstract: A linear solar energy collector system includes reflective lines arranged in parallel in a south-north direction, heliostats mounted on the reflective lines, respectively, each comprised of mirror segments to reflect solar radiation, a light receiving line set above the reflective lines in a east-west direction, a receiver mounted on the light receiving line, to receive light reflected from the heliostats and collect heat from the light, and an angular adjuster to adjust angles of the mirror segments individually to irradiate a same light receiving area on the receiver with the reflected light from east-west neighboring reflective lines and thereby adjust a concentration ratio.

Abstract: The concentrating heat receiver (10) is provided with a casing (41) which has an opening portion (15) into which sunrays are made incident, a heat receiving portion (42) which is accommodated inside the casing (41) so that a working fluid flows therethrough and receive heat from sunrays made incident from the opening portion, thereby raising the temperature of the working fluid, and hanging members (61, 62) in which the upper end sides thereof are coupled to an upper angle (14) and the other end sides thereof are loosely inserted into through holes (44a, 44b) of the casing (41), thereby supporting in a hanging manner the heat receiving portion (42) inside the casing (41).

Abstract: A solar photo-thermal receiving device, consisting of a sealed structure (1) and a solar photo-thermal receiver (2) inside the sealed structure (1); the solar photo-thermal receiver (2) includes a secondary absorption heat-exchange pipe (17) and a primary absorption heat-exchange pipe (16); the temperature of a heat exchange medium inside the secondary absorption heat-exchange pipe (17) is lower than that of a heat exchange medium inside the primary absorption heat-exchange pipe (16); the secondary absorption heat-exchange pipe (17) receives the heat energy released by the primary absorption heat-exchange pipe (16) and/or receives the solar heat not received by the primary absorption heat-exchange pipe (16); the solar photo-thermal receiving device takes the heat away via the heat-exchange medium flowing inside the pipes of the solar photo-thermal receiver (2). The solar photo-thermal receiving device can be applied in a through type, a Fresnel array and a tower type solar photo-thermal concentration system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for collecting and utilizing energy generated by the sun, comprising a layered construction provided with a substrate layer and a cover layer comprising a curable mortar, wherein there is arranged on the substrate layer a tube system through which a fluid can be transported in order to regulate the temperature in the tube system, this tube system being at least partially embedded in the mortar, and wherein the mortar of the cover layer comprises insulating granules, cement, water and additives. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a layered construction for a device for collecting and utilizing energy generated by the sun.

Abstract: A device and method of its production for a micro-channel thermal absorber to be used as a solar thermal collector, heat collector, or heat dissipater, extruded or continuously cast in one piece or in modular segments from a metal, plastic, or glass and assembled into panels of different structures seamlessly integrated into the envelope of a building as covering layers or structural elements. The micro-channel thermal absorber comprises an active plate, a back plate adjacent to the active plate, and a plurality of micro-channel walls arranged substantially perpendicular to the active plate and the back plate to define a plurality of fluid transport micro-channels configured to allow fluid flow there-along, wherein the micro-channel walls constitute supporting elements between the active plate and the back plate to provide structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar collector of a fixed and concentrating flat panel type in which V-band type absorption plates each configured to have coating layers formed on both surfaces thereof and configured to maintain regular intervals are formed within the solar collector having a flat panel type and a reflection plate configured to reflect solar energy toward the absorption plates and to have an elliptical symmetry structure are disposed under the absorption plates. Accordingly, a solar energy absorption ratio can be maximized, and concentration efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: Superheated steam tower receiver with a well-defined configuration that benefits the transfer of heat between the surface of the component and the working fluid. Composed of at least four subpanels that define the circulation circuit for the steam by means of internal passages. The component is provided with saturated steam and for the production of said steam it is possible to use other solar concentrator technology. The proposed configuration minimizes the technological risks inherent in superheated steam receiver technology where drawbacks arise in the structure of the material owing to the thermal cycles to which the solar component is subjected.

Abstract: A solar radiation panel that has inlet and outlet collectors and a series of conduits that run from the inlet collector to the outlet collector. A working fluid that is heated by solar radiation flows inside the conduits. The panel is a single piece and includes an upper layer, at least one intermediate layer, and a lower layer. The upper layer receives the solar radiation. The at least one intermediate layer is located under the upper layer, and contains the conduits through which the working fluid flows. The lower layer is located under the intermediate layer, and the working fluid inlet and outlet collectors are coupled in said lower layer. The working fluid that is heated in the panel subsequently proceeds to a combustion engine that produces electricity by means of an alternator.

Abstract: A solar thermal collector including a carrier, channels and a solar selective coating is provided. The channels are embedded in the carrier for a heat transfer fluid flowing therein. The solar selective coating is deposited on an outer surface of the carrier. The solar selective coating includes a damping layer, an absorbing layer and an anti-reflecting layer. The damping layer is deposited on the outer surface of the carrier. The absorbing layer is deposited on the damping layer, wherein the absorbing layer has a transition region including plural sub-layers and located adjacent to the damping layer. The anti-reflecting layer is deposited on the absorbing layer, wherein a light beam is adapted to enter the absorbing layer through the anti-reflecting layer, and irradiation energy of the light beam is transformed by the collector into thermal energy, which is then transmitted to the heat transfer fluid in the channels.

Abstract: A solar heat collector includes a heat collecting board, a solar radiation absorbing layer provided at one surface in a thickness direction of the heat collecting board, and a low emissivity and low solar reflectance layer provided at one surface in the thickness direction of the solar radiation absorbing layer.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: Technical challenges of efficiently and cost-effectively deriving energy from the sun are addressed using a manifold and an array of evacuated tubes in fluid connection, in a butterfly or other planar arrangement. Tube and manifold fluid guides are plumbed for coaxial flow and/or parallel flow, and thermally protected by sleeves, stainless steel piping, and/or vacuum. Tubes are provided with a selective low emissivity coating and/or internal mirror to reduce thermal loss. The solar absorption surface of evacuated tubes may be five square meters or more, with only low-quality concentration optics, or no concentration optics used. The tubes array tracks the sun with a two-axis motion platform. Fluid operating temperatures range from 150 to 300 degrees centigrade, depending on the sunlight exposure, working fluid, and supplemental heat source if any. Fluid may circulate heat between the manifold and heat engine, cogeneration facility, and/or other module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a configuration of the receivers in concentrated solar plants with towers comprising at least one medium-temperature receiver (3) and one high-temperature receiver (4) in which each high-temperature receiver (4) is located above and slightly in front of each medium-temperature receiver (3), such that a portion of the rays that bounce off the medium-temperature receiver (3) heats the rear portion of the high-temperature receiver (4) and in which the high-temperature receiver (4) is positioned such that the majority of the surface thereof is opposite the wall of the cavity (2), only the bottom portion of the receiver (4) remaining free.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a collector element plane comprising a set of parallel metallic collector elements (2) for collecting solar energy. The collector element plane, on its side to be arranged to face the sun, comprises a set of parallel, elongated ridges (R, r) formed by the metallic collector elements (2), and elongated depressions (v) between the ridges (R, r), and that at least some of the ridges (R, r) comprise therein a channel (3) for a heat transfer medium. The invention also relates to a collector element. The invention further relates to a building roof, a building, and a solar energy recovery system comprising said solar collector (1).

Abstract: A direct flow solar collector and solar hot water system are presented wherein high pressure connections are eliminated to lower installation costs while freeze and stagnation protection is provided by a cooling loop and a continuous circulation protocol. A novel fin design and a modular concept deliver manufacturing, shipping and assembly efficiencies while providing flexibility for customizing the collector configuration.

Abstract: A method to enhance efficiency of a propellant heat exchanger is described. The method includes spacing a plurality of propellant tubes of the propellant heat exchanger within defined flux bins, the flux bins defined as a function of total beam energy to be received by the propellant tubes, the propellant tube spacing resulting in each defined flux bin operable to receive a substantially equal amount of beam energy, and configuring each flux bin such that any beam energy that impinges the flux bin is directed to the propellant tube therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to passively tracking, partially concentrating solar panels that feature the ability to perpetually self-concentrate impinging light on a portion of the underlying photovoltaic material during varying times of the day and throughout the year. Such solar panels feature higher conversion efficiencies and higher output when compared to equivalent sized conventional solar panels and do not require an active tracking system to adjust for yearly difference in the sun's elevation above the horizon.

Abstract: A solar collection system is described that includes an elongate central truss angled upward from ground horizontal and mounted on a plurality of ground support legs, a collector subsystem mounted at one end of the central truss, a cross truss perpendicular to the central truss and mounted at an end of the central truss opposite the collector subsystem, and a reflector subsystem mounted on the cross truss. The collector subsystem includes a truncated trapezoid-shaped housing with a front side facing the reflector subsystem, the front side including a glassed-in opening fronting a V-shaped core heat mechanism enclosed within the housing interior that captures reflected photon energy from the reflector subsystem which heats a fluent medium within the V-shaped core heat mechanism for output to an external source for thermal power operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger configured to capture energy by radiation, comprising at least one flag-shaped basic exchanger (10), including: a) an input collector (5) and an output collector (6); b) a plurality of exchange tubes (1) connected to the input collector (5) and to the output collector (6), respectively, and stacked so as to halt the incident radiation, each tube (1) being provided in the form of a hairpin with one curved part at the head of the pin (4) and two arms (2, 3) adjoining essentially vertically and on the largest part of the length thereof, the end of the tubes (1) at the pin head (4) being free and the tubes (1) being self-supported at the ends thereof connected to said collectors (5, 6).

Abstract: A flat evacuated-tube solar collector includes two parallel collecting tubes, a plurality of parallel evacuated tubes perpendicularly installed between two collecting tubes. Each evacuated tube includes two distal tube sections and a middle section situated between the two distal tube sections, and the middle section is in a flat shape, and has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the distal tube sections. The flat evacuated tubes substitute the conventional fins soldered onto a flat panel solar collector to receive sunlight, while the characteristic of two distal ends of the evacuated tube having a smaller cross-section than the middle section maintains an appropriate spacing between the collecting tube and a connecting point of the evacuated tube to assure the structural strength of the collecting tube.

Abstract: A heat pipe comprises an evaporator section 5 having a radiation absorbing plate 6 a portion of an elongate tube 7, and a condenser section 10 at a distal end of the elongate tube 7 remote from the evaporator section 5. A flow control valve 20 is provided between the evaporator section 5 and the condenser section 10 to selectively interrupt communication between said sections when the temperature within the condenser section 10 exceeds a predetermined maximum. A temperature sensitive member, (coil of memory metal 34?, or discs 34?) acts between a support plate 26 and a seat 36 located on a valve pintle 30 to urge the valve head 22 towards the valve seat 24 when the temperature of the temperature sensitive member 34 exceeds a predetermined limit. A return spring 38 is provided to bias the valve head 22 away from the valve seat 24.

Abstract: A solar collector has an opaque cover heated by solar energy. Heat flows from the opaque cover by conduction, convection, and infrared emittance across a gap within an at least substantially airtight enclosure to an absorber containing a working fluid. The exterior surface of the opaque cover has high solar energy absorptance and the interior surface has high infrared emittance. The exterior surface preferably has low infrared emittance. In one embodiment, fully wetted surface geometry permits direct and reflected infrared absorption by the absorber. The opaque cover eliminates the weight, cost and other shortcomings of glass. A hollow continuous side wall with rounded corners provides an embodiment that is robust yet economical, that is easy to manufacture and seal, that permits a reduced thickness of the opaque cover and mitigates the destructive potential of severe winds, and that can withstand the compressive forces experienced by an evacuated solar collector.

Abstract: A solar heat receiver includes a casing having an aperture, and a piping system provided in the casing and discharging a heat medium, which is sent from a fluid supply source, to a fluid supply destination after the heat medium is heated by the solar light. The piping system includes: heat receiver tubes that heat the heat medium flowing therein; an inlet header tube that distributes the heat medium, which is introduced from the fluid supply source, to each of the heat receiver tubes, and an outlet header tube that collects the heat medium passing through each of the heat receiver tubes, and leads the heat medium to the fluid supply destination. The inlet header tube and the outlet header tube have a larger inner diameter than each of the heat receiver tubes.

Abstract: A direct solar steam generator is provided. The direct solar steam generator includes a solar evaporator having an evaporator circuit for circulation of a working fluid, an evaporator inlet pipe for supplying fluid to the evaporator circuit and an evaporator outlet pipe for collecting the working fluid exiting the evaporator circuit, and a solar concentrator for concentrating solar energy towards the evaporator circuit. The direct solar steam generator also includes a fluid arrangement configured to allow forming a static liquid seal in the outlet pipe using the working fluid.

Abstract: A solar heat receiver includes a heat receiver tube support member that holds, with regular distances, longitudinally intermediate potions of a plurality of heat receiver tubes arranged in parallel and in plane. The support member extends to cross a longitudinal direction of the heat receiver tubes, and thus does not naturally move in the longitudinal direction of the heat receiver tubes, and when a predetermined force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, a position of the support member is maintained by a frictional force such that there is a slide between the heat receiver tube support member and the heat receiver tubes. Also, a plurality of heat receiver tube support members are provided in one solar heat receiver, and the heat receiver tubes are divided into a plurality of groups by the plurality of heat receiver tube support members.

Abstract: A solar power tower solar receiver absorber including: an enclosure; at least one panel configured to be illuminated by solar flux; a core made of at least one material with heat conductivity at least partially encompassed by the enclosure; and a plurality of tubes passing through the core and extending substantially in a parallel direction with respect to the panel configured to be illuminated. The tube is configured for circulation of a fluid to be heated, for example a gas for operating a gas turbine.

Abstract: Thermal device comprising a thermal part (20) comprising a multitude of heat-transfer tubes (21) for the passage of a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that it comprises a light guide (10) placed above the thermal part (20), this light guide (10) having an optical property allowing an incident light ray to be guided in various exit directions depending or the angle of incidence of the incident light ray, so as to orient most of the incident light onto the heat-transfer tubes (21) at low incidence, such as in winter, and to beside these heat-transfer tubes (21) at high incidence, such as in summer.

Abstract: A solar receiver having a higher yield than a central tower receiver. The receiver comprises a plurality of absorbent tubes for absorbing incident energy from light guides suitable for capturing solar radiation in solar collector concentration focal points, the absorbent tubes being arranged consecutively and in parallel, adjacently in relation to a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent tubes. The tubes contain a circulating heat-transfer fluid. The longitudinal axes are contained in at least two planes, defining at least two lines of absorbent tubes arranged in an alternating manner, and partially superimposed. The receiver also comprises containers subjected to a vacuum in order to enclose the absorbent tubes and reduce losses by convection.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system includes a base, and a parabolic trough collector carried by the base for reflecting sunlight to a longitudinal focal line. The parabolic trough collector includes a center section horizontally positioned with respect to ground, and opposing end sections adjacent the center section. Each end section is angled towards the ground. A conduit is positioned along the longitudinal focal line to receive the reflected sunlight. The conduit circulates a heat transfer liquid therethrough to be heated by the reflected sunlight.

Abstract: A collector system (12) is disclosed that comprises a row of linearly conjoined collector structures (13). The collector system is arranged to be located at a level above a field of reflectors (10) and to receive solar radiation reflected from the reflectors within the field. The collector structure (13) comprises an inverted trough (16) and, located within the trough, a plurality of longitudinally extending absorber tubes (30) that, in use, are arranged to carry a heat exchange fluid. The absorber tubes (30) are supported side-by-side within the trough and each absorber tube has a diameter that is small relative to the aperture of the trough. The ratio of the diameter of each absorber tube to the trough aperture dimension is of the order of 0.01:1.00 to 0.10:1:00 and, thus, a plurality of absorber tube functions, in the limit, effectively to simulate a flat plate absorber.

Abstract: A solar receiver panel comprising a header comprising header body (18, 18?) having a header wall surrounding an inner chamber (11, 11?), at least one access opening (21, 21?) communicating with the inner chamber (11, 11?) with a substantially spherical shape for connecting a fluid pipe, and a plurality of junction nozzles (16, 16?) provided in the header wall which are connectable to respective solar absorption pipes (14) wherein at least one of the junction nozzles (16, 16?) are located in a spherical segment of the inner chamber (11, 11?) that is transversally opposed to said access opening (21, 21?), been the access opening (21, 21?), inner chamber (11, 111 and nozzles (16, 16?) arranged to allow a thermal fluid to flow there through,

Abstract: A self-contained structural assembly wherein the roof is exclusively formed by a flat plate type, solar thermal panel (STP) designed to heat water, having a transparent glazing. The STP is designed with lateral riser tubes as the flow path of the heat transfer fluid. The STP includes header tubes that are configured to protrude out the back of the STP. A shed having at least four walls that form the frame upon which the STP rests.

Abstract: A solar energy receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver elements. Each solar receiver element includes a substantially solid core configured to absorb solar radiation and to store the solar radiation as heat. The core includes a base surface and a plurality of absorption surfaces. The receiver further includes at least one fluid passageway defined within the core adjacent at least one absorption surface of the plurality of absorption surfaces, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is configured to channel a working fluid therethrough for absorbing heat stored in the core.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved The present invention is made in view of the above-described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a sunlight collecting system achieving suppression of power generation cost with the receiver which enables suppressing the manufacturing, transportation and construction costs, facilitating recovery work in the case of occurrence of a failure, and promptly recovering a heating medium circulating inside the receiver in an emergency.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.

Abstract: A solar boiler 300 includes first and second primary receiver panels 500, 600 spaced apart by a gap 700. Each panel 500, 600 include a plurality of primary boiler tubes 510, 610 for receiving solar flux. The boiler 300 includes at least one secondary receiver arrangement 800 disposed across the gap 700 for receiving solar flux incident thereacross. The arrangement 800 includes at least one secondary boiler tube 810, and at least one support member 820 supported thereto. The arrangement 800 is configured relative to the primary panels 500, 600 such that endmost primary boiler tubes 510a, 610a are supported over the support member 820 in spaced relation ‘S’ to the secondary boiler tube 810 for enabling transverse and lateral thermal expansion of the tubes 510, 610, 810 without bending out. Further, a panel joining attachment 900 is provided for attaching the panels 500, 600 and the arrangement 800.

Abstract: In a solar receiver arrangement 300 with a support structure 600, the support structure 600 includes a plurality of tie members 700 for tangentially coupling a plurality of tubes 510, for forming at least one receiver panel 500, in such a manner that the at least one tie member 700 is coupled in at least one crotch portion 520 between a pair of tubes 510. The support structure 600 further includes a plurality of panel support members 800 coupled to the receiver panel 500 selectively in at least one crotch portion 520 between a pair of tubes 510. Furthermore, at least one latching member 900 is configured to detachably attach the plurality of panel support members 800 for engaging the plurality of receiver panels 500.

Abstract: A light energy conversion (LEC) system includes a fluid circuit having a working fluid flowing therethrough and a plurality of light concentrating (LC) modules for converting light energy into electrical energy and for transforming the light energy into thermal energy. The LC modules including a first LC module coupled in series with a second LC module along the fluid circuit. The working fluid absorbs thermal energy while flowing through the first and second LC modules. At least the first LC module includes a light concentrating optical element that is configured to direct light energy toward a focal region and a receiver held at the focal region. The receiver includes a housing having a chamber that holds an energy conversion member. The energy conversion member transforms light energy received from the optical element into electrical and thermal energy.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a solar thermal receiver comprising: (a) a first containing member transparent to sunlight; (b) a second containing member comprising an inner surface reflective of sunlight; (c) an inlet proximate to the first containing member that is configured to receive injected heat transfer fluid; and (d) an outlet distal from the first containing member, where the first containing member and the second containing member together form a vessel configured to conduct injected heat transfer fluid from the inlet to the outlet under hydrostatic pressure.