Abstract: The invention provides an artificial ice substrate that floats on a body of water. The top surface of the artificial ice reflects a portion of the sunlight back away from the earth. The bottom surface has nutrients for enhancing the growth of algae. Several weeks after placement of the artificial ice in the body of water, a ship with harvesting equipment, scrapes the algae off artificial ice and into a collection tank, re-applies nutrients to the underside of the ice substrate, and then deposits the artificial ice back into the lake or ocean. The marine plants are then converter into fuel. Besides creating carbon neutral fuel, this method provides carbon credits by means of reflecting sun energy back into space.

Abstract: This invention presents a trough-shaped solar collector. The solar collector includes a trough-shaped reflector for concentrating incoming solar rays upon a focal axis. The reflector includes a flexible reflective film having a concave reflective surface. The reflective film is braced by a bulkhead-and-rod frame that is disposed inside the concave space created by the reflective surface of the reflective film. The reflective film is placed in longitudinal tension using spring clamps, and is intermediately held against bulkhead members using straps. The solar collector has a variety of support rod patterns to maintain the integrity of the bulkhead-and-rod frame. The solar collector may be collapsed into a smaller space for shipping or storage.