Abstract: Wind turbines and energy capturing assemblies for capturing fluid energy are provided. The wind turbines includes a plurality of helical air foil blades mounted for rotation about an axis, and a cylindrical airfoil mounted along the axis and shaped to direct a flow of fluid, such as, air or water, toward the plurality of helical airfoil blades. Incorporating photovoltaic devices within the turbines can enhance the energy capturing capacity of some turbines. The energy capturing assemblies include a plurality of airfoil blades mounted for rotation about an axis, a structure having an outer surface shaped to direct a flow of fluid toward the plurality of airfoil blades; and an electrical generator operatively connected to the plurality of airfoil blades. The structure may be a building, a residence, a tower, a tank, or a vessel. Methods and devices for capturing fluid energy are also included.

Abstract: A solar energy collector or tower adapted to position photovoltaic devices in urban and suburban settings is provided. The tower includes an elongated pole, a plurality of photovoltaic modules pivotally mounted to the pole at a plurality of elevations, wherein each of the plurality of modules includes a housing, and a plurality of photovoltaic devices mounted in the housing; a drive mechanism adapted to rotate each of the pivotally mounted photovoltaic modules; and a base assembly adapted to pivotally support the pole. The tower and modules are designed to minimize wind load. The photovoltaic modules include a solar energy heat exchanger having a plurality of photovoltaic devices mounted with a plurality of reflective surfaces positioned to concentrate solar energy upon the photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic devices and reflective surfaces may be positioned on panels or pyramidal structures. Methods and devices for collecting solar energy are also included.