Abstract: A system for solar assisted water heating provides hot water to a user at a lower cost, higher energy efficiency, and with a quicker response time than conventional systems, reducing energy losses, and improving user comfort. The basic architecture includes four main components: a solar collector, a heat exchanger, an in-line heater, and a control system. A transient heat profile of a first temperature in a primary loop is measured while a first flow generator G1 is active for the primary loop. Solar assisted heating of water in a secondary loop is provided based on: a flow of water in the secondary loop; a current first temperature; and the transient heat profile of the first temperature by activating: the first flow generator in the primary loop and an in-line water heater in the secondary loop.

Abstract: It is provided a solar energy module for converting solar radiation to thermal energy. The module includes a thermally insulating element transmissive to solar radiation and having low transmissivity to thermal infra-red radiation, an absorbing element, a sealed enclosure, and a variable portion in the envelope of the sealed enclosure. This portion is adapted for varying the volume available to gas enclosed in the enclosure in accordance with changing temperature of the enclosed gas. Also, it is provided a solar energy module which includes a thermally insulating element, an absorbing surface and liquid pipes for absorbing the solar radiation, and an air duct thermally coupled thereof. The heated liquid and the heated air are usable for a variety of thermal applications. A heat storage may be thermally coupled to the absorbing surface and to the liquid pipes. The air duct has several air valves, and is associated with a controller for regulating air flow through the air duct.

Abstract: An overheat protection device (OPD) is implemented independently of the circulating system of a solar thermal collector and isolated from the environment. The system facilitates operation of a solar thermal collector at elevated internal temperatures (versus reducing or ceasing operation above a critical temperature). OPD includes a heat pipe filled with at least two fluids. In a non-heat conducting state, a temperature at an evaporator portion of the heat pipe is below a transition temperature and the dual-fluid includes at least one fluid in a liquid state and at least one fluid in a gaseous state. When the temperature at the evaporator is above the pre-defined transition temperature the OPD undergoes an abrupt transition to a heat conducting state, whereby the dual-fluid transfers heat from the evaporator area to the condenser area, thus transitioning from a state of thermal isolation from an environment to one of strong thermal coupling.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: A system and method for prevention and removal of snowpack from solar panels increases the collection efficiency of solar panels by using one or more techniques, alone or in combination including: vibrating a vibrationally isolated surface of the solar panel; flexing a flexible sheet attached to the solar panel; inducing vibrations via extenial circulation piping for detaching the snowpack from at least one solar thermal collector of a solar array; activating a heat-pipe to transfer heat from an absorber plate to the surface of the collection panel; and using a PZT to generate vibrations for detaching the snowpack from the solar panel.

Abstract: An overheat protection device (OPD) is implemented independently of the circulating system of a solar thermal collector and isolated from the environment. The system facilitates operation of a solar thermal collector at elevated internal temperatures (versus reducing or ceasing operation above a critical temperature). OPD includes a heat pipe filled with at least two fluids. In a non-heat conducting state, a temperature at an evaporator portion of the heat pipe is below a transition temperature and the dual-fluid includes at least one fluid in a liquid state and at least one fluid in a gaseous state. When the temperature at the evaporator is above the pre-defined transition temperature the OPD undergoes an abrupt transition to a heat conducting state, whereby the dual-fluid transfers heat from the evaporator area to the condenser area, thus transitioning from a state of thermal isolation from an environment to one of strong thermal coupling.

Abstract: Insulated solar panels provide that provide a solar thermal collector with means for limiting stagnation temperatures and preventing damage include: temperature limiting is provided by the insulated solar panel, isolating internal components from the environment, using passive closed systems within the sealed solar thermal collector, while also allowing alternative implementations as active systems and/or portions of the temperature limiting system outside the sealed solar thermal collector. A heat pipe can be used as a passive thermal switch, where the temperature induced action at a predetermined temperature causes an abrupt transition from a state of thermal isolation to a state of strong thermal coupling. Additionally, a set of siphon circulation pipes provides a passive closed system for temperature limiting.

Abstract: The system facilitates dynamically allocating a variable amount of solar radiation to or between multiple solar applications based on optimizing a time-dependent cost function using multiple parameters as inputs to the cost function. Also described is an optical architecture that enables dynamically channeling incident solar radiation to or between multiple solar applications based on the optimization of a cost function. A solar allocation and distribution system includes an allocation sub-system; a distribution sub-system; and a controller configured for controlling the allocation sub-system and the distribution sub-system based on optimizing a cost function, wherein the cost function is time-dependent and based on energy utilization of a facility.