Abstract: A new type of structure for mounting solar modules addresses the problem of solar access in several ways. Firstly, the structure can enclose a living plant and protect it and equipment. This allows improved acceptance and can provide a means for ground mounted solar to be classified as landscape by permitting authorities. This can make a large difference in the amount of area a land owner can use to mount solar modules. Also, the structure can make better use of recently developed solar technology like AC modules, microinverters and optimizers by allowing a solar designer to predefine a non-planar insolation surface that can be implemented using locally made materials. By allowing a custom non-planar design the solar plant support structure can more closely match loads, lower energy storage costs, energy transmission costs and make better use of limited solar access.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for preheating air for a rooftop air handling unit (RTU). The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a barrier system configured to surround the RTU. The barrier system may include a structure to provide a frame for the barrier system, a first barrier configured to connect to a first side of the structure, and a collector configured to connect to a second side of the structure. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a duct configured to connect between the collector and a chamber. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a chamber configured to connect to an air intake hood of the RTU. The chamber may include a first opening to receive air stored in the cavity, a second opening to receive external air, and a diverter configured to switch between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A solar shingle roofing kit comprises a plurality of crystalline solar panel modules, a central connector for adjoining adjacent solar modules, a starting connector to join a solar module to an eaves or a deck of a roof; left and right closures to join solar modules to the rake edges of a roof or to other kinds of commercial shingles or roof tiles, and a plurality of clamps to fasten the forgoing elements to the deck of a roof. The solar shingle roofing kit allows solar modules to be installed interchangeably with metal roof shingles. The solar shingle roofing kit allows an individual solar module to be removed and replaced without removing neighbouring modules or shingles in the event that a solar module fails.

Abstract: A solar power system comprises a solar receiver, a heated solids storage tank downstream of the solar receiver, a fluidized bed heat exchanger downstream of the heated solids storage tank, and means for transporting solid particles from the fluidized bed heat exchanger to a cold solids storage tank upstream of the solar receiver. The fluidized bed heat exchanger includes a first fluidized bed and a second fluidized bed. Solid particles flow through the fluidized bed heat exchanger and transfer heat energy to heating surfaces in the two fluidized beds. The system permits the solid particles to absorb more energy and permits a constant energy output from the fluidized bed heat exchanger.

Abstract: A building using solar energy for heating and cooling without any air conditioning equipment is disclosed. The building comprises a fluid channel arranged for a fluid to transfer absorbed solar heat, a solar heat storage bank to store and supply the solar heat, and a mechanism for directing and controlling the flow of the fluid throughout the building. A insulating glass style solar heat collector (IGSHC) and building element comprises a insulating glass or the like; a solar heat absorber is arranged in hollow space of the insulating glass, and separates the space into two subspaces; a fluid channel is connected to the solar heat absorber; the channel connected to a convergent tube; and an air inlet and an air outlet are provided for drawing heated air out from one of the divided subspaces, each of the air inlet and air outlet has a respective cover for closing or opening the air channel.

Abstract: A solar heater includes a plurality of suspended vertical components that cover at least a portion of an interior side of a window and have open top and bottom ends. Each suspended vertical component has a heat absorbing body position within the transparent sheath. The heat absorbing body is located a first spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a first side portion of the sheath and a second spaced distance from the inner sheath surface of a second side portion of the sheath. The open bottom end of the sheath receives cool ambient air that is heated while passing between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the first side portion and between the heat absorbing body and the inner sheath surface of the second side portion. The open top end of the sheath exhausts the heated air to an interior space of a building.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the temperature of a building interior, the building including at least one thermal mass for receiving and holding heat, distribution vents and an air return, the method including receiving and holding heat in the at least one thermal mass, enabling an air flow from the at least one thermal mass using the distribution vents, and returning the air flow to the at least one thermal mass via the air return, wherein the air flow tends to maintain a generally constant temperature in the building.

Abstract: A method for providing a cool roof by processing fluid within a vicinity of a roof structure having a surface area includes transferring a volume of air with a selected flow rate through a plenum structure disposed underlying one or more solar modules and coupled to the roof structure spatially over a height above a portion of the surface area. Each of the one or more solar modules is coupled to each other. The plenum structure has at least an intake region and an exit region for the volume of air. The method additionally includes maintaining a roof temperature profile for the portion of the surface area starting from the intake region to the exit region for a predetermined amount of time using at least the flow rate of the volume of air being transported through the plenum structure.

Abstract: A solar panel (10) has tubing (12) through which water from a swimming pool is recirculated. The tubing (12) is adapted to be exposed to the sun for heating the water to a temperature whereby the pool is heated. The solar panel (10) has a housing (14) for the tubing (12), and the housing (14) has a transparent screen (16) covering the tubing (12). In use, the housing (14) retains heat therewithin for increasing the temperature of the tubing (12) above that outside of the housing.

Abstract: A solar system house having a solar-heat collecting portion on a roof, a solar-heat collecting duct communicated with the solar-heat collecting portion; and a handling box connected to the solar-heat collecting portion. The handling box includes a back-flow damper that prevent a back-flow toward the solar-heat collecting duct, an air-flow change damper that allow selection between a descending duct and an exhaust duct opened to the outside, a solar-heat collecting fan positioned between the back-flow chamber and the air-flow change damper, and a driving motor for rotating the solar-heat collecting fan in the handling box, which is a direct current (DC) motor to be driven by a solar-battery and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the solar-battery.

Abstract: A system for heating and ventilating a building which includes a generally peripheral foundation element which supports the external walls of the building. Room air is heated and circulated below the floor and up through floor openings at the external wall. A barrier is connected to the foundation wall so as to span the area enclosed by the foundation wall at a level beneath the floor. Exhaust air is conducted to a region beneath the barrier for surface-enlarged contact with the underside of the barrier. The foundation element and/or the base that supports the foundation element is permeable to air along essentially its full length beneath where the foundation element connects with the barrier and exhaust air flows out through the foundation element or its supporting material while effecting an exchange of heat therewith.

Abstract: There is provided the combination of a corrugated solar collector panel and a building surface to which it is attached, in spaced relationship. At least some of the panel corrugations are flat and located such that they face in the general direction of the sun during at least a portion of the daylight hours. Generally uniformly distributed apertures are provided in the panel, and specifically at flat areas in the corrugations. The combination further includes photovoltaic cells mounted to the corrugations at flat portions thereof containing the apertures, with the cells being supported substantially parallel with and adjacent to but spaced apart from the flat surfaces, thus leaving air passages between the photovoltaic cells and the solar collector, whereby air can enter and leave the enclosed space by flowing through the air passages and along the undersides of the photovoltaic cells, thus removing excess heat build-up from the voltaic cells.