Abstract: A solar collector comprising a wide-angle, nonimaging asymmetric optical reflector comprising a reflective film, an absorber assembly positioned within the optical reflector having a transparent tube evacuated to a vacuum or partial vacuum and at least two pipes with fluid flowing through the pipes, the pipes arranged in a flow-through configuration, wherein the solar acceptance angle of the collector is about 40 degrees, allowing for passive (stationary) solar tracking, and where the solar energy collected is transferred to the fluid in the form of heat. The fluid exiting the solar collector is in the range of 100° C. to 250° C., and the thermal energy of the fluid may be used to generate high-quality steam for solar industrial process heat applications.

Abstract: Non-imaging solar collectors that generate both electrical energy and thermal energy through the use of a novel solar absorber assembly inside a transparent housing with a wide-angle concentrator are disclosed. One or more minichannels or heat pipes comprise part of the absorber assembly, and effectively remove heat from photovoltaic solar cells adjacent and/or attached to the minichannels or heat pipes, thereby cooling and improving the efficiency of the solar cells while at the same time transferring heat to a fluid flowing through the minichannel(s). Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing non-imaging solar collectors that generate both electrical and thermal energy.

Abstract: A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.

Abstract: A hybrid solar system including a hybrid solar collector using non-imaging optics and photovoltaic components and a heat transfer and storage system in thermal communication with the hybrid solar collector, the heat transfer and storage system using particle laden gas as thermal media to simultaneously generate and store electricity and high temperature dispatchable heat.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: A hybrid solar system including a hybrid solar collector using non-imaging optics and photovoltaic components and a heat transfer and storage system in thermal communication with the hybrid solar collector, the heat transfer and storage system using particle laden gas as thermal media to simultaneously generate and store electricity and high temperature dispatchable heat.

Abstract: A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.

Abstract: A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: A hybrid solar system including a hybrid solar collector using non-imaging optics and photovoltaic components and a heat transfer and storage system in thermal communication with the hybrid solar collector, the heat transfer and storage system using particle laden gas as thermal media to simultaneously generate and store electricity and high temperature dispatchable heat.

Abstract: A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture which is rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about the optic axis.

Abstract: An optical concentrator is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.