Abstract: A light collection and concentration system includes a primary light concentrator, a light transport structure, and a light directing structure optically associated with the primary light concentrator. The system may include an optional secondary light concentrator. Each unit-system includes a plurality of the primary light concentrators and a respective plurality of the light directing structures, and only a single light transport structure. A photo-voltaic (PV) cell may advantageously be associated with each unit-system. Solar radiation is focused by the primary concentrators onto respective light directing structures incorporated in a low aspect ratio, sheet-type waveguide light transport structure. Each respective light directing structure intercepts the focused light and deflects it transversely to travel along the length of the light transport structure primarily via total internal reflection (TIR) towards an exit-end of the light transport structure, where it can be input to the PV cell.

Abstract: Molding bench for curving mirrors comprising a sheet (1) supported on a frame by means of a joint system that prevents the sheet (1) from shifting and moving and to the lower part of which are fixed a series of air pipes (14) having a general air header pipe (3) connected to a vacuum pump. The sheet (1) consists of a square lattice the intersections of which have perforations that match up with a series of suction points of the air pipes (14), intended to produce a vacuum in the bench and which have been previously calibrated, such that said bench can be used to manufacture mirrors having any curvature.

Abstract: Parametric cylindrical solar collector with an optimized secondary reconcentrator and its design process, where the geometry of the primary reflector is an evolution of the Helmet collector concept towards a discontinuous curve that allows increasing the C/Cmax concentration to over 0.52 as well as reducing the wind loads. The structure is optimized to withstand the different loads to which the collector is exposed. The collector's center of gravity is brought closer to the axis of rotation of the collector. The geometry of the secondary reconcentrator is optimized and the collection efficiency of the collector is of 100%. The secondary reconcentrator is obtained partially mirroring the glass tube that keeps the vacuum in the absorber tube.

Abstract: Insulating element for expansion compensation device and method for manufacture thereof, of the type used in solar energy collector absorber tubes, being formed by a single piece in the form of a ring and with a bellows-like end portion, which is filled with rock wool or other equivalent insulating material, so as to create a hot air chamber which minimizes heat losses.

Abstract: It comprises a frame with an upper structure (4) supporting photovoltaic modules (12) and further comprises a solar tracking mechanism which produces the frame's rotation with an azimuthal axis and a horizontal axis. The frame comprises a base (3) with assembled profiles, integrated with the ground. The upper structure (4) comprises lateral profiles (5) in a Z-shape, placed one on each side; an upper central profile (7) and a lower central profile (8) connected with connecting rods (15) and placed longitudinally among said lateral profiles (5), and transversal crossbeams (9) in the lower part of the lateral profiles (5) and the central profile (6). An actuator (11) located on the central part of the central profiles (7, 8) causes a relative movement of the central profiles (7, 8) and this way the horizontal rotation of the modules (12) is generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a solar power receiving tube and to the resulting tube, which is of the type that includes: an outer glass tube, an inner metal absorber through which a heat-transfer fluid flows, and an intermediate area in which the vacuum is produced. The method comprises the following steps: i. Production of the metal tubes ii. Production of the glass tubes: namely a longer central glass tube and two shorter glass tubes for the ends. iii. Process for the production of the Kovar rings or glass-metal transition elements iv. Process for the welding of the Kovar rings to the tubes v. Process for the production of the bellows or expansion compensating devices assemblies vi. Assembly of the products obtained in the preceding operations vii.

Abstract: Vacuum enhancing system or non-evaporable getter of the type used en solar-receptor vacuum tubes which comprises a series of non-evaporable getter material pads the geometry of which is that of a prism with rounded corners and said pads are drilled through the centre thereof and linked by means of a cable ending in a quick-fit closure that allows the fitting thereof to be automated. This system is placed downstream of the expansion-compensating device in the form of non-radial bellows in the longitudinal direction and in the void defined by the vessel that is the interface part between the absorber tube and the expansion-compensating device. A getter system is placed in a radial arrangement, at each of the two ends of the receptor tube, resulting in a receptor tube of completely symmetrical geometry.

Abstract: A high-concentration photovoltaic solar module is formed by a casing (1) that contains photovoltaic receivers (2) in the base (3) thereof, which are interconnected with one another, and in the upper part thereof has Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) in a plane parallel to that of the photovoltaic receivers (2), which close the casing in a leak-tight manner. Each of the Fresnel concentrator lenses (7) is arranged on one of the photovoltaic receivers (2). Furthermore, the module includes secondary optical elements (8), each arranged on the photovoltaic cell (5) of each photovoltaic receiver (2). The casing (1) is produced by injection-molding of plastic and incorporates cavities (9) in the base (3), each of the cavities housing a photovoltaic receiver (2), and metal laminar elements (10) for interconnecting the photovoltaic receivers (2).

Abstract: System for supporting an evaporable getter, which can be installed in any type of solar power receiving tube and which is mounted using a method that is much more automated than that used until now. Unlike the known prior art, this system consists of a clip-type supporting element having a substantially thin profile and an S-shaped base, the upper part thereof including a ring in which the pellet of evaporable getter is housed. Said pellet is supported by the pins of the supporting element, dispensing with the need for an additional contact part in order to secure the pellet. The clip is secured to the bellows-type expansion compensator, such that it remains inside the vacuum zone of the solar power receiving tube.

Abstract: The invention comprises a frame (1) of bars formed by an upper face, a lower face and lateral faces, and comprises supports that act as a butt to stop the movement of the mirror facets (7), which are conveniently screwed to the face opposite the load face. Inner shelves (2) and outer shelves (3), in the interior of the frame (1), formed by flat structures, are joined to the supports (6), defining cavities (4) wherein the facets (7) are housed. Angle brackets (8) join the outer shelves (2) to the load face, while strips (9) join the inner shelves (3) to at least one adjacent shelf (2, 3). Elastic pads are inserted between the shelves (2, 3) and the strips (9) or angle brackets (8) for the purpose of absorbing small movements. Sealing means in the form of closed profiles are incorporated to prevent the facets (7) from abandoning the frame (1). The facets (7) may be arranged horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: It allows lifting the heliostat in the warehouse and placing it on the cart, and once it reaches the installation spot in the field, the lifting structure is used to lift the heliostat from the cart and place it on a previously installed pedestal. The structure formed by an upper arch and two lower bases, being the upper arch, comprised at the same time by a central, elongated and horizontal profile, which presents two lateral profiles on its ends, from which vertical plates start at the bottom, provided with a hole in the proximity of its lower ends, through which the upper arch (2) is linked to the lower bases through some fixing mechanism, having the lower bases a semicircular support adapted to receive one of the support arms of the heliostat.

Abstract: It facilitates the foundation and assembling of the pedestal (15) on the ground, allowing calibration of its verticality and azimuthal orientation, further serving as a formwork element. Said frame comprises a quadrangular structure (1), articulated in at least one of its corners, preferably two, and adapted to surround the pedestal (15), which is provided with four horizontal profiles (2); calibration bolts (5) through which the pedestal (15) is pressed and adjusted in a vertical position; with said bolts (5) being inserted into nuts (4), which are connected to vertical bodies (3) linked to the profiles (2); and plates (7) linked to those profiles (2) which feature holes (8) through which picks (9) are vertically inserted, designed to be nailed to the ground for fixation and stability of the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for cleaning parabolic trough solar collectors (2) by means of a motorised vehicle (1) which includes a water tank (4); front (5) and rear (6) cleaning arms, with a telescopic part having several sections, coupled at one end to a pivoting head (8) which supports a rotary cleaning brush (9) and comprises spray nozzles (10), as well as proximity sensors (12) for the brushes (9). It comprises the same number of front and rear transverse guide rails (13) which include a linear movement means (14) coupled, by means of a pivot (15), to the cleaning arms (5, 6). The brushes (9) are movable in relation to the head (8) by means of a shaft (21) actuated by a retraction actuator (27) for overcoming obstacles (26).

Abstract: A high concentration photovoltaic module, including a plurality of Fresnel concentrating lenses, serving as lenses for solar radiation concentration, which form a group or array arranged on a “V” shaped structure, which reduces the amount of air contained therein, thus minimizing effects of moisture on active elements of the system, attached by a sealed attachment mechanism, and wherein, at the base, there are a plurality of predetermined cavities each of which house a photovoltaic receiver including at least one photovoltaic cell on which a secondary optical element is placed, improving acceptance angle, thus multiplying electric energy generation capacity of the photovoltaic cells and durability thereof, and includes side parts screwed to the structure which minimize torsion stress caused by attachment to the tracker.

Abstract: System for manufacturing facets comprising a frame, a series of mirrors and multiple securing parts in which said parts are the key to the invention and are formed by a rod and a circular metal sheet provided with a series of small circular perforations, where the rod and the circular sheet are attached by electric arc welding or any other means that ensures an equivalent fixation and the purpose of which is to secure a curved mirror to the rear structure or frame of a heliostat, thereby forming the so-called facet.

Abstract: Composite material for storing heat energy at high temperatures (225° C. to 488° C.) formed by a porous carbon structure at least partially filled with LiOH/KOH, wherein a large amount of heat energy may be stored or released very quickly. The carbon structure is characterised by a high volumetric thermal conductivity, a low density, a highly interconnected porosity and a relatively high modulus of elasticity. The significant properties of LiOH/KOH mixtures are: a large amount of energy involved in full melting/crystallisation, a fairly low relative volume expansion upon melting and fairly low subcooling. The main advantages of the resulting composites are a very high energy density, a relatively low volume expansion, highly enhanced heat transfer, thermoadaptability, stability and insignificant hysteresis.

Abstract: System and method for accumulating steam in tanks for solar use made up of two sets of Ruths tanks (1, 2), called base set and overheat set, identical to one another and each having a saturated steam inlet (3), steam injectors (10) installed inside the tank (1, 2), a steam outlet (4, 4?) with a valve (13) and drainage means (11). A heat exchanger (6) is installed between the two sets of tanks (1, 2). The method of storage consists of a tank loading stage and a tank discharging stage, the latter comprising two discharging phases, the first one from a maximum to an intermediate pressure and the second one from an intermediate to a low pressure.

Abstract: Solar concentration plant placed on tower technology wherein the tower is used not only to equate the receiver devices at great height but also as a natural-draft cooling system. The tower is hollow and has a hyperboloid. structure that may exceed 200 m in height, accommodating devices for receiving saturated or superheated steam in cavities with different orientations. There is a dynamic control for adapting the heliostat field so that the heliostats can be focussed on different focal points for producing electricity, producing process heat, producing solar fuels or for application to thermochemical processes.

Abstract: Method for the natural-draught cooling of a high-concentration thermoelectric solar plant that includes a central receiver or tower with a heliostat field, wherein the tower is used as a natural-draught cooling tower. The steam originating from the turbine will be made to circulate through a series of condensers located at the base of the tower, where said condensers condense the steam therein and discharge the condensation heat to the atmosphere. The fluid responsible for this heat exchange is the air at ambient temperature at the base of the tower. Once condensed, the steam is pumped back towards the receiver so that it can be re-used as a heat-transfer fluid. The cooling air travels up through the tower and exits through the highest part thereof. The plant can be used to reduce not only its own electricity consumption, but also water consumption.

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.