Abstract: A solar blackbody waveguide that captures and uses sunlight to heat a thermal heat transfer fluid. One or more systems of optical mirrors provided on each tower captures and concentrates the sunlight. Each system of optical mirrors is movably mounted on its tower to track the daily movement of the sun and to maintain the proper angle with the horizon throughout the year. Each system of optical mirrors directs the light into an associated short light pipe which delivers the light into a curved solar coil contained within an enclosure. Energy from the light rays is absorbed by the solar coil and transferred to thermal working fluid or heat transfer fluid flowing between the solar coil and the enclosure. The energy laden thermal heat transfer fluid is gathered from a plurality of towers for use with existing technologies, such as with a combined cycle gas turbine, boiler, or steam generator.

Abstract: A method to enhance oil shale, oil sand, asphaltic crude oil, or other high viscosity crude oil production by using a solar blackbody waveguide to heat these formations in situ. A parabolic mirror collects and directs the solar flux into a vertical shaft of a well drilled into the formation. This vertical shaft is lined with a reflective sleeve that reflects nearly all of the sunlight down into the well bore. The reflective sleeve ends at the top of the formation so that below this point, the solar flux is permitted to make successive reflections with the interior of the metal well casing or solar blackbody waveguide coil. The coil absorbs the solar flux, converting it to heat. Heat from the coil is transferred by conduction into the formation and allowing the formation to be produced by traditional methods.

Abstract: A solar blackbody waveguide that captures and uses sunlight to heat a thermal working or heat transfer fluid. Solar cell arrays capture the sunlight. The arrays are movably mounted on solar towers to track the daily movement of the sun and to maintain the proper angle with the horizon throughout the year. The arrays direct the light into a series of light pipes to deliver the light into a solar coil located within an underground insulated pipeline. Energy from the light rays is absorbed by the solar coil and transferred to the thermal working fluid or heat transfer fluid flowing between the solar coil and the insulated pipeline. The energy laden thermal working or heat transfer fluid is removed from the downstream end of the insulated pipeline so that it can be used with existing technologies, such as with a combined cycle gas turbine, boiler, or steam generator.