Abstract: A Photovoltaic powered cooking system comprised of a small solar panel array 500-1,000 Watts, a charge controller for a battery capable of storing electric power and delivering it day or night for cooking using a low voltage 12-48 VDC, low power, 500 W heater configured as a hot plate or oven capable of 240° C. to boil, bake or fry food. The heater is comprised of multiple standard resistive or positive temperature coefficient heating elements or both combined to be energy efficient and can cook and then be controlled to keep food warm. No combustible fuel needed.

Abstract: A plumbing adapter is proposed to allow electric heating elements to be placed into the ports of an existing pressurized hot water tank. The adapter allows the heating element to be inserted into either male or female tank plumbing fittings without rotation, so it allows the use of bent or shaped heating elements. This allows a heating element to be placed near the bottom of the tank and in an inclined or near-horizontal position to improve convective heat transfer. The adapter allows electric heating elements driven by photovoltaic panels or grid power to be placed into existing or new water tanks that are heated by propane, natural gas, or electric power.

Abstract: Direct current solar electric heating elements can be powered by an array of photovoltaic panels. The direct current voltage can be low or high with proper electrocution protection. Insertable immersion heating elements can be placed into any existing, gas, propane or electric hot water tank, cooking pot or hot tub. Heating elements in air can also be used for heating ovens, range cook tops and sauna heaters. The output of the photovoltaic panel is interfaced to the electric heater element via either direct connection or using a load-matching controller which maximizes the power delivered to the heater under all sun conditions. The maximum heater temperature is regulated by a thermostat.

Abstract: Direct current solar electric heating elements can be powered by an array of photovoltaic panels. The direct current voltage can be low or high with proper electrocution protection. Insertable immersion heating elements can be placed into any existing, gas, propane or electric hot water tank, cooking pot or hot tub. Heating elements in air can also be used for heating ovens, range cook tops and sauna heaters. The output of the photovoltaic panel is interfaced to the electric heater element via either direct connection or using a load-matching controller which maximizes the power delivered to the heater under all sun conditions. The maximum heater temperature is regulated by a thermostat.

Abstract: Delivering heat from modem high temperature solar collectors to hot water storage tanks is more effectively done using unpressurized when cold, self-pressurized on heat up, automatic air eliminating, higher temperature fluid loops. A pressurizing valve, an overflow reservoir and a vacuum relief valve are used. Non-toxic water/antifreeze mixtures are pressurized up to about two atmospheres resulting in a 265° Fahrenheit boiling point. Loss of circulation under full sun results in solar collector boiling under pressure. The steam generated in the solar collector is condensed in the pressurized liquid-to-air radiator, a steam heat pipe, and water is returned to the solar collector to keep it completely full of fluid and steam. A set of pressure-actuated air dampers on the solar collector can also be used to shed the excess solar collector heat.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which is adapted to an existing water tank to allow it to be heated or cooled using a hot or cold toxic or non-toxic liquid. Solar collectors and heat pumps can provide hot or cold liquids. To transfer this heat cheaply and economically to an existing hot or cold, water tank requires a simple efficient heat exchange, which can be easily adapted to the existing tank. The invention recited fills this need by simply screwing into the existing hot or cold, water tank and allow heat or cold to be added or extracted via a simple fluid loop, which is single wall isolated for non-toxic heat exchange fluids and double wall isolated for toxic heat exchange fluids.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which is adapted to an existing water tank to allow it to be heated or cooled using a hot or cold toxic or non-toxic liquid. Solar collectors and heat pumps can provide hot or cold liquids. To transfer this heat cheaply and economically to an existing hot or cold, water tank requires a simple efficient heat exchange, which can be easily adapted to the existing tank. The invention recited fills this need by simply screwing into the existing hot or cold, water tank and allow heat or cold to be added or extracted via a simple fluid loop, which is single wall isolated for non-toxic heat exchange fluids and double wall isolated for toxic heat exchange fluids.

Abstract: Delivering heat from modem high temperature solar collectors to storage tanks is more effectively done using a pressurized, high temperature fluid loop using nonflammable and low toxicity heat transfer fluids and is the subject of this patent. Nontoxic water/antifreeze mixtures can be used in pressurized (14#, (14 Pounds Square Inch pressure above atmosphere)) systems up to 265 degrees Fahrenheit before the mixture boils. Boiling under pressure transports either steam or heat out of the closed system. The steam must be condensed and returned to the closed loop system to keep it full. In order to accomplish this in a practical manner a pressurizing cap and overflow reservoir are used. The system will either shed excess heat collected by boiling or limit the heat input from the collector panel by increasing its heat loss due to increasing solar collector temperature above ambient.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a solar collector is disclosed. A microprocessor receives inputs from one or more sensors in a solar collector and determines the state of the solar collector from the inputs. Commands are also received from an external source for controlling operation of the solar collector. The microprocessor executes instructions to complete the command based on the state of the solar collector.

Abstract: A long-life solar reflector includes a solar collector substrate and a base layer bonded to a solar collector substrate. The first layer includes a first reflective layer and a first acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the first reflective layer to prevent exposure of the first reflective layer. The reflector also includes at least one upper layer removably bonded to the first acrylic or transparent polymer layer of the base layer. The upper layer includes a second reflective layer and a second acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the second reflective layer to prevent exposure of the second reflective layer. The upper layer may be removed from the base reflective layer to expose the base layer, thereby lengthening the useful life of the solar reflector.