Abstract: A solar collector whose absorber plate is made of a conventional building material, e.g., tile, stucco, concrete or the like, and forms the outer surface, e.g., wall or roof, of the building. The fluid to be heated, typically air, flows behind the absorber rather than between an absorbing plate and a cover of glass or other transparent material, and heat is transferred to the fluid by metal conductors which extend from adjacent the outside surface of the absorber to, and define at least part of the flow passage. The system includes a cold tank of liquid in which heat is stored at a relatively low temperature, a heat tank of liquid at a relatively higher temperature; and a heat pump for transferring heat from the cold tank to the heat tank.

Abstract: Solar collectors whose absorbers are made of a conventional building material form the outer surface of the roof and wall of a building. Air flows behind the absorbers and heat is transferred to the air by expanded metal conductors which extend from adjacent the outside surfaces of the absorbers into the flow passages. Heat from the collectors is stored in a system including a cold tank of liquid, a heat tank of liquid at a higher temperature, and a hot water tank of liquid at an even higher temperature. A heat pump may transfer heat from the cold tank to the heat tank and from the heat tank to the hot water tank. Cold and heat exchangers are provided in each tank for receiving heated air from the collectors and transferring heat therefrom to the liquid in the tank; and the exchangers in the cold and heat tanks transfer heat between the liquid in the tanks and air from or to the building. Air flows to and from the collectors, tanks, and buildings in ducts formed by the floor and roof beams and wall slabs.