Abstract: A thermal energy collecting and storing device including a thermally insulated storage vessel including a heat retaining material holding chamber, a solar portal in the top of the vessel, the solar portal including a tubular member having upper and lower portions extending from the top of the vessel into the heat retaining material holding chamber and spaced from the side walls of the vessel and wherein the spacing between the side walls and the tubular member forms a second peripheral chamber about the solar portal. Substantially filling the holding chamber as well as a portion of the second peripheral chamber is a material having a low melting point and good heat retaining capacity. The peripheral chamber includes an expansion area above the heat retaining material so that the material is allowed to expand when heated. Means are provided for closing the lower portion of the tubular member and for transmitting energy to the heat retaining material.