Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making solar collector assemblies for photovoltaic conversion. The method comprises providing a mold for receiving encapsulant, the mold having serially arranged, alternating peaks and valleys. A respective PV solar cell is placed into each of a series of the valleys such that the light-receiving surfaces of the PV solar cells face upwards. Uncured encapsulant is delivered into the mold and onto the light-receiving surfaces, and from the light-receiving surfaces to a level at least as high as the peaks so as to form, above the light-receiving surfaces, optical concentrators for concentrating light received by the optical concentrators and directing the light to the light-receiving surfaces. The encapsulant is then cured.

Abstract: A solar concentrator assembly can include edge solar receiver assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to an improved secondary reflector panel with a heat-treatable coating. Certain example embodiments related to method of making a secondary reflector panel where a reflective coating is disposed onto a glass substrate. A portion of the reflective coating is removed and a frit material is disposed over the reflective coating. An elevated temperature is applied to the glass substrate, the coating, and the frit material where the frit is cured and the glass substrate is formed as desired.

Abstract: Provided are reflective thin film constructions including a reduced number of layers, which provides for increased solar-weighted hemispherical reflectance and durability. Reflective films include those comprising an ultraviolet absorbing abrasion resistant coating over a metal layer. Also provided are ultraviolet absorbing abrasion resistant coatings and methods for optimizing the ultraviolet absorption of an abrasion resistant coating. Reflective films disclosed herein are useful for solar reflecting, solar collecting, and solar concentrating applications, such as for the generation of electrical power.

Abstract: A solar mirror includes an opaque reflective coating on a surface of a transparent substrate facing away from the sun and a transparent reflective coating on the opposite surface of the substrate. The transparent reflective coating increases the percent reflection of wavelengths in selected ranges, e.g. wavelengths in the infrared range to increase the total solar energy reflected by the solar mirror to increase the solar energy directed to a receiver that converts solar energy to electric and/or thermal energy.

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 solar furnace for heating a target having a heliostat with a reflective surface having a reflective portion, a surface altering mechanism capable of altering the shape of the reflective portion, and a target having a target area, the reflective surface capable of reflecting radiant energy toward a target.

Abstract: A solar concentrator which is a closed chamber with transparent wall, which is formed into a bulb structure; the bulb structure forms a sealed cavity where vacuum can be formed and the gases with certain compositions can be filled in; the bottom portion of the chamber wall is shaped into a parabola; the bottom portion of the said parabola wall is shaped into a CPC; the center part of the top portion of the chamber is shaped into a concave parabola, and the curvature of the said concave parabola is opposite to the said bottom parabola; a reflective layer is coated on the inner surface or outer surface of the said bottom parabola and the said CPC; a reflective layer is coated on the inner surface or outer surface of the said top concave parabola, wherein the incident light, which penetrates through the top transparent wall, will be reflected and concentrated by the bottom parabola to the top parabola, then reflected by the top parabola to form collimated beam light, and the beam light is collected with the assi

Abstract: A solar energy collection array includes a plurality of individual mirrors and a plurality of receiver facets. The mirrors form a fixed multifaceted curved collection of mirrors. Each individual mirror is less than 1 square meter and is constructed of inexpensive and easily replaceable surfaces. The receiver facets are disposed as fixed curved multifaceted receivers. Each receiver facet is less than 1 square meter and is constructed of inexpensive and easily replaceable surfaces and wherein each individual mirror is aimed at one of the receiver facets so that each receiver facet is optically aligned with one of the individual mirrors thereby creating a small mirror multiple target. Different facets are utilized at different times of day and season based on the sun's position.

Abstract: A concentrating solar power device may include a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a thermal storage device. The primary mirror may reflect solar rays from the sun towards the secondary mirror. The secondary mirror may reflect the solar rays reflected from the primary mirror towards the thermal storage device. The thermal storage device, which may comprise a thermal medium such as salt, may collect/absorb energy from the solar rays which may be used to run multiple Stirling engines, and/or an energy storing or energy expending device.

Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a frustoconical reflective shell and a light converging lens. The frustoconical reflective shell includes a top opening and an opposite bottom opening. The reflective shell tapers from the top opening to the bottom opening. The reflective shell is configured for reflecting light. The light converging lens is arranged at the top opening and is fixed on the sidewall of the reflective shell. The light concentration lens includes a central lens portion and a periphery lens portion. The central lens portion includes a first light incident portion facing away from the bottom opening. The central lens portion includes a plurality of concentric annular prisms cooperatively forming a Fresnel-lens structure. The periphery lens portion is arranged surrounding the central lens portion. The periphery lens portion includes a convex second lens portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for harnessing solar energy that generates heat from solar radiation, which can be used in various applications. The apparatus for harnessing solar energy comprises a telescope reflector that projects a collimated beam towards a heat accumulator, wherein heat may be generated and used or stored for later use.

Abstract: A solar trough including a reflective surface formed parabolic along an axis and a parabolic trough structure composed of at least one cementitious material. The trough structure is made strong and light by the addition of a filler material within the cement, such as a bale of straw or other fibers.

Abstract: A solar energy harvester comprises: an elongated stationary solar irradiance converter assembly; a concentrator comprised of a substantially flat array of flat reflective heliostatic slats disposed at tilt angles to concentrate the sun onto the converter assembly, said slats each rotating in elevation about a north-south axis; sun sensor detecting the efficacy of concentration as the sun traverses; and control circuitry and drive motor positioning the collector in elevation according to the sun sensor so that the slat array tracks and faces the sun whenever the solar incident energy is greater than a selectable threshold level.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system (32) has a fixed array (34) of reflectors (40) extending in parallel rows, and a common focal receiver (36) located above the fixed array (34) and extending parallel to the rows of reflectors (40). Incident solar radiation from all of the reflectors is reflected upon the receiver (36) which includes a heat absorbing medium adapted to absorb heat from the reflected radiation. There is an elevated support structure (38) for the fixed array (34) of reflectors and the receiver (36). The support structure (38) orients each row of reflectors at a respective fixed angle relative to the support structure. The support structure (38) is pivotally mounted to an upright elevation assembly (77) to allow controlled rotation of the fixed array (34) and receiver (36) simultaneously about a pivotal axis (39) extending parallel to the rows of reflectors (40) so as to track the movement of the sun.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface enhancements for composite mouldings made from polymeric materials and to the use thereof in solar systems. These solar systems may be solar reflectors for concentrating solar radiation, flexible photovoltaic composite films, or CPV (Concentrated Photovoltaics) lenses for concentrating solar radiation. The surface enhancement comprises a self-healing coating based on crosslinkable fluoropolymers, e.g. PFEVE (polyfluoroethylene alkylvinyl ethers). These coatings exhibit good optical properties, can be used in outdoor applications, more particularly in solar applications, over very long periods of time, exhibit self-cleaning properties, and in particular are self-healing in relation to mechanical damage—such as scratching.

Abstract: Provided is a solar light concentrating system which realizes suppression of power generation costs by applying a receiver 2 that is capable of suppressing a manufacturing cost to a low level, facilitating recovery work when a failure occurs, and quickly recovering a heating medium circulating inside in case of an emergency. The receiver 2 is formed by three-dimensionally combining multiple modules 20. At least a part of the modules is a trapezoid-shaped module 20B. The trapezoid-shaped module includes an upper header 21B, a lower header 22B being shorter than the upper header, and multiple heat receiving tubes 23 which connect the two headers. The heat receiving tubes are formed by successively altering their cross-sectional shapes in away that makes each heat receiving tube shaped like a wedge that becomes narrower from its top toward its bottom in a front view, and like a wedge that becomes wider from its top toward its bottom in a side view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tower-type system (11) for concentrating and capturing thermosolar energy, comprising a tower (13) having a fixed part (81) and a movable part (82), wherein the movable part ascends or descends along a shaft of the tower (13) and is provided with a gondola (83) that can perform azimuthal rotation, and wherein an assembly of heliostats (12) that can move around the tower (13) direct the solar radiation toward a panel.

Abstract: The Sun, a giant laser, being 93 million miles from Earth, is the greatest point-source light in existence. The light-rays emanating from the Sun as photons traveling 93 million miles in distance, is a nearly-perfectly collimated light form. The intent of this invention is to capture those highly collimated light-ray photons and gently redirect them in several directions, while greatly compounding them, and keeping them in a highly parallel form to be delivered to the final destination. This invention is supported by a second source light, in which the Sun's location is replaced by the HID element in a newly invented form for capturing and compounding the light-rays. Compounding for both sources can be as great as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photovoltaic power systems, photovoltaic concentrator modules, and related methods. In particular, the present invention features concentrator modules having interior points of attachment for an articulating mechanism and/or an articulating mechanism that has a unique arrangement of chassis members so as to isolate bending, etc. from being transferred among the chassis members. The present invention also features adjustable solar panel mounting features and/or mounting features with two or more degrees of freedom. The present invention also features a mechanical fastener for secondary optics in a concentrator module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for collecting and converting solar energy into electrical energy. The present invention includes solar collectors that concentrate solar energy and mechanisms for transporting and transferring the concentrated solar energy directly into closed cycle thermodynamic engines without heating the outside surface of the engines. Additionally, the present invention includes multiple thermodynamic engines and mechanisms to direct solar energy into each of the thermodynamic engines to increase overall system efficiency by maximizing the use of collected solar energy. Advantageously, the delivery system of the present invention avoids heating an outside surface of the engine as is done in conventional designs, provides a closed design to protect the collectors, and maximizes efficiency through multiple engines.

Abstract: An improved solar concentrator, where because sunlight is focused into parallel or collimated beams the light can be reflected and controlled by a series of mirrors and collected to form increasingly powerful collimated beams targeted onto a reactor; where each array tracks the sun with a dual-axis solar tracker, an array has multiple units that have a collecting fresnel lens, a collimating lens and a mirror, an array has a centralizing mirror which gathers the fresnel unit light in middle of each array, the array beams are then reflected off of a series of mirrors that bounce the light beams form mirror to mirror and collect the beam energy from multiple arrays into one or more high power beams, which are bounced off mirrors until they hit the reactor.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a pair of concentric reflectors having a spindle toroid geometry for focusing the collected solar radiation into a ring-shaped focal area, as opposed to the “point” or “line” focus of prior art configurations. In a preferred embodiment, each reflector is formed of a plurality of curved petals that are disposed in a contiguous, keystone arrangement that requires no additional fixturing to hold the petals in place. Such an arrangement reduces the weight, complexity and cost of the final solar concentrator structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide heat, electricity, or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A solar energy harvesting system including a luminescent solar concentrator for generating light emissions in response to received sunlight, and for redirecting and concentrating the light emissions onto a predetermined target (e.g., a PV cell). The luminescent solar concentrator includes a light-guiding slab containing a luminescent material that generates the light emissions, spaced-apart outcoupling structures that provide a distributed outcoupling of the light emissions through predetermined locations on one of the “broadside” (e.g., upper or lower) surfaces of the light-guiding slab, and optical elements positioned to redirect the outcoupled light emissions such that the light emissions are concentrated onto the predetermined target.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided with a reflective panel assembly that is supported by a frame and pivots about a first horizontal axis. The panel assembly is configured for reflecting sunlight to a common focal point, and includes a central panel and a pair of outer panels each pivotally coupled to the central panel and configured for folding over the central panel. A collector assembly is mounted relative to the frame and pivotal about a second horizontal axis. The collector assembly is configured for collecting solar energy and includes a receiver that is positioned at the focal point. The receiver is configured for extracting energy from the reflected sunlight. The solar collector may also include a four-bar linkage assembly for supporting the panel assembly and the collector assembly during movement from a collapsed position and a partially extended position.

Abstract: Solar energy receivers and methods of using the same are provided. The receiver includes a plurality of absorber members configured to absorb concentrated solar radiation. The plurality of absorber members define at least one fluid transport channel. The solar receiver also includes a plurality of structural plates, wherein each of the plurality of structural plates is positioned between adjacent absorber members to define an inner fluid transport passage and a plurality of outer fluid transport passages. The inner fluid transport passage is in flow communication with the plurality of outer fluid transport passages. The plurality of outer fluid transport passages are in thermal communication with the plurality of absorber members.

Abstract: An improved solar reflector utilizing tensioned reflective membrane, where a bearing edge device is employed to smooth wrinkles in the membrane and limit distortion.

Abstract: A solar receiver assembly includes a tube adapted to carry a heat transfer medium and a glass envelope surrounding the tube and having opposed ends. An interface is disposed between each end and the tube so as to seal and support the tube from the envelope. And the receiver includes a prism disposed over the interface to divert incident radiation away from the interface and toward the tube and/or the glass envelope. The prisms may be provided with reflective and/or anti-reflective coatings to further optimize diversion of radiation from the interface.

Abstract: A solar collector utilizes multiple reflections of light passing down a tapered, pyramidal-type structure made of highly-reflective mirrored surfaces. A right-angled truncated reflective pyramidal structures have been discovered to have many properties which make them superior to existing concentrator geometries. The use of a tapered, pyramidal-type structure creates multiple reflections which appear at the collector output in the form of a Buckminster-Fullerene display, providing improved collector efficiency and amplification when compared to prior art “concentrators” of the Fresnel lens or parabola type.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a reflector configured to reflect and focus a majority of solar energy from visible light and infrared spectra. The solar energy collection system also includes a light trap configured to receive concentrated solar energy from the reflector. The light trap includes a black body that is configured to absorb a majority of the concentrated visible light and infrared energy and convert the absorbed energy into thermal energy.

Abstract: Examples and variations of apparatus and Methods for concentrating solar radiation are disclosed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of providing a coating to a surface of an optical element of a solar energy conversion system. The method comprises contacting the surface of the optical element with an aqueous coating composition comprising water and silica nanoparticles dispersed in the water, and drying the coating composition to form a nanoparticle coating. The coating composition has a pH of the composition of 5 or higher. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase; silica nanoparticles having a volume average particle diameter of 150 nanometers or less dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase; and an organic polymer binder.

Abstract: The present application provides a primary reflector in a solar collection system. The primary reflector includes a first reflective section that can reflect solar rays onto a first focal line, a second reflective section on the left side of the first reflective section, and a third reflective section on the right side of the first reflective section. The second reflective section can reflect solar rays to the right side of the first focal line. The third reflective section can reflect solar rays to the left side of the first focal line.

Abstract: A solar receiver is disclosed. The solar receiver is modular, has multiple tube panels in a rectangular/square/polygonal/circular configuration, and is designed for use with molten salt or another heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid flows in a vertical serpentine path through the sides (facets) of the solar receiver. The solar receiver can be shop assembled and can be used with a support tower to form a solar power system.

Abstract: A light concentration device includes: a plate including two principal faces and an edge between the two principal faces, a refractive index gradient existing between the two principal faces, and a diffraction grating functioning in reflection or semi-reflection that cooperates with one of the principal faces of the plate having the highest refractive index, the principal face having the lowest refractive index forming a front entry face for the light, at least one exit zone for the light being disposed on the edge.

Abstract: A solar energy conversion system may include a receiver with a first heat transfer fluid channel having at least two opposite sides. Each side may present an external surface facing in a direction opposite to that of the external surface of the other opposite side. Each side may be configured to contact a heat transfer fluid carried in the first heat transfer fluid channel. A heliostat field may be configured to direct solar energy to each of the at least two opposite sides during the course of a day such that a thermal stress tending to bend the channel remains below a specified level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar collector assembly includes a sealed and inflated cylindrical-tube shaped housing, the tube housing including a bottom cylindrically-trough shaped reflector portion having a reflection surface extending along a longitudinal length. The reflection surface is made of a relatively thin and flexible metalized polymer film. A top cylindrically-shaped transparent polymer film sheet portion is made of a relatively thin and flexible polymer film, the top and bottom sheet portions forming a pressure sealed cylindrical tube housing when the respective ends of the top and bottom films are sealed together and the tube housing is inflated with a gas so that the top transparent film portion passes solar energy to the reflection surface.

Abstract: A solar reflecting mirror having a curved reflective surface includes a plurality of transparent shaped segments held together by securing facilities to provide a shaped transparent substrate having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the concave surface having a focal area. A solar reflecting coating is provided over the convex surface of the shaped substrate to reflect visible and infrared waves of the electromagnetic scale to the focal area of the shaped transparent substrate. A method of making the solar mirror is also disclosed.

Abstract: A large-scale integrated radiant energy collector includes a receiver assembly including a plurality of receiver units, a plurality of flat mirror assemblies, and a tower configured to support the receiver assembly above the plurality of flat mirror assemblies. Each receiver unit includes an absorber and a reflector configured to concentrate received radiant energy onto the absorber. Each of the plurality of flat mirror assemblies is configured to receive radiant energy and direct the radiant energy toward the receiver assembly. The receiver assembly may be configured to track the position of the radiant energy source (reflected by the flat mirror assemblies) in a first direction, and the plurality of flat mirror assemblies may be configured to track the position of the radiant energy source in a second direction.

Abstract: A low cost parabolic solar concentrator can be formed by deforming a hybrid plate. Force can be placed on an edge portion of the hybrid plate and/or a middle portion of the hybrid plate. The selective application of the force deforms the hybrid plate into a parabolic solar concentrator, instead of a sinusoidal shape. The hybrid plate can be formed from a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate attached to each other. The characteristics of the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate, can be chosen to allow the hybrid plate to be deformed into the parabolic shape with the selective application of forces.

Abstract: A light concentrating optical element includes: a substrate; and a plurality of micro-optical members dispersed inside the substrate. The plurality of micro-optical members each direct light having been transmitted through the substrate and having entered a micro-optical member along an entering direction, so that the light exits the micro-optical member along a matching direction matching the entering direction, and direct light having entered the micro-optical member along an other entering direction, so that the light exits the micro-optical member along an exiting direction, resulting in an advancing direction of light having entered the substrate through a substrate front surface and advancing through the substrate being deflected via the plurality of micro-optical members to extend along the matching direction; and the light having been deflected so as to advance through the substrate along the matching direction is concentrated at an end area of the substrate.

Abstract: Solar energy is collected and used for various industrial processes, such as oilfield applications, e.g. generating steam that is injected downhole, enabling enhanced oil recovery. Solar energy is indirectly collected using a heat transfer fluid in a solar collector, delivering heat to a heat exchanger that in turn delivers heat into oilfield feedwater, producing hotter water or steam. Solar energy is directly collected by directly generating steam with solar collectors, and then injecting the steam downhole. Solar energy is collected to preheat water that is then fed into fuel-fired steam generators that in turn produce steam for downhole injection. Solar energy is collected to produce electricity via a Rankine cycle turbine generator, and rejected heat warms feedwater for fuel-fired steam generators. Solar energy is collected (directly or indirectly) to deliver heat to a heater-treater, with optional fuel-fired additional heat generation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the collection and conversion of light energy. The apparatus includes, a sandwich core structure, a collector element and a concentrator including one or more reflector elements and positioned at an exterior surface of the sandwich core structure.

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a panel support structure. A boiler stay is operatively connected to the panel support structure. A panel stay is slideably engaged to the boiler stay. A boiler panel is operatively connected to the panel stay with the panel stay being affixed to a plurality of tubes of the panel. The boiler stay and panel support assemblies are configured and adapted to slide with respect to one another to accommodate thermal expansion of the boiler panel. In certain embodiments, a pin connects the boiler stay and the panel stay, wherein the pin is removable for installation and removal of the panel from the support structure.

Abstract: An array of solar collectors includes dual axis reflectors for directing solar radiation to receivers at focal points of the reflectors. Solar radiation is used to heat a thermal energy storage material, which may be used to generate steam for use in power generation with the aid of a turbine. The dual axis reflectors may pivot about independent axes of rotation, thereby enabling use of the reflectors throughout the year.

Abstract: A hybrid solar/non-solar thermal generation system includes a solar concentrator and collector, and fiber optic cables that transfer collected solar radiation to a solar to thermal converter. The solar to thermal converter converts the solar radiation to heat that is used to augment the heating of a working fluid in a boiler. The system has particular application for use in Rankine cycle power generation plants that employ non-solar sources to heat the working fluid.

Abstract: A solar energy collector produces electricity and heat using an optically transparent vessel containing one or more photovoltaic cells and a liquid that substantially fills the vessel. The vessel has a top with a flat exterior surface and a bottom with a concave exterior surface that is coated on the outside with a reflective material. Solar radiation traveling through the top of the vessel into the liquid and through the bottom strikes the reflective material on the outside of the vessel and is reflected back through the bottom, into the liquid and to a focal line adjacent to the interior surface of the top. Cooled liquid is fed into the vessel through an entry port and heated liquid is removed through an exit port. One or more photovoltaic solar cells are located adjacent to the interior surface of the top aligned with the focal line.

Abstract: The inventive solar trough field system (A) comprises multiple parabolic reflectors (1), support circles (3) of which the center coincides with the focus of the parabolic reflector (1 ) and which are used in order to support the reflector (1), core mechanisms (2) which are located on the center of the circles (3), guy wires (4) which connect the circle (3) and the core mechanism (2) to each other, side support units (5,5J) which bear the support circles (3) from their outer surfaces, lightweight filling materials (6) which support the reflectors (1) from their lower parts, thermal receiver tubes (11) which pass through the center axis of the circles (3). The parabolic reflectors (1) are rotated around the center axis of the circles (3), which is the focus thereof, and directed towards the sun. Thus, the parallel beams coming from the sun are concentrated in the thermal receiver tubes (11) which are located in the focus of the reflectors (1).