Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Abstract: An external concentrator is disclosed for use in concentrating reflected solar radiation (e.g., beams or rays) onto a heat collection element (HCE) located at a focal point of a parabolic mirror. The external concentrator includes at least first and second elongated ribs that are adapted to extend radially outward from the outside surface of an HCE and along a linear length (e.g., a portion or all) of the HCE to redirect stray/spilled light into the absorber tube of the HCE. The radial extension of the ribs above the outside surface of the HCE allows a reflective surface of the rib to redirect stray reflected beams/rays that would otherwise bypass the HCE back onto the HCE.

Abstract: A device is describe for collecting energy in electromagnetic radiation, where the device includes a first panel that includes a first height, a first end, and a second end such that a first length is defined between the first end and the second end. The device further includes a second panel that includes a second height, a third end, and a fourth end such that a second length is defined between the third end and the fourth end. In addition, the first height and the second height are substantially parallel to a reference axis, the first end and the third end intersect to form a leading edge that is substantially parallel to the reference axis, and the first panel and the second panel form a channel positioned between the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: The present invention offers improved absorber plates for solar energy collectors, improved cover glazings for solar energy collectors, improved concentrating solar energy collectors, and solar energy collection methods that use one or more of the improved solar energy collectors for useful residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The improved absorber plate solar energy collectors utilize a porous metal to improve solar radiant absorption collection and utilization, the improved concentrating solar energy collectors are Fresnel lens faced ducts of various geometries that enable efficient axial length solar energy collection, and the improved cover glazings utilize transparent front and back faces with other improvements to enable increased solar radiant energy collection per unit front face cover area of solar collector.

Abstract: Vertically placed solar collectors arranged in a circular formation aided by magnifying glasses and mirrors to increase the heating effect of solar energy. Mirrors and magnifying glasses placed around the outside and in the center of the circular formation. Optional computer controlled movement of the solar collectors and/or the mirrors and magnifying glasses to optimally catch the angle of the sun's rays as the earth moves relative to the sun and according to the season. Use of captured energy to heat water and produce electricity for a house and/or an electrically driven car.

Abstract: A solar water heater is provided. The heater features heat control so that a maximum temperature is automatically controlled. The heater is insulated to maintain a water temperature of water stored therein for long periods of time. The heater includes an insulated lens which transmits most solar radiation incident on its top surface through the lens. An air trap is located below the lens. A heat control valve opens the air trap to surrounding air when a maximum temperature for air within the air trap is exceeded. A heat absorption plate is located below the air trap. The plate is in contact with a heat transfer liquid within a liquid space below the plate. A heat exchanger is positioned within the space and routes water in heat transfer contact with the liquid within the space, while keeping the water isolated from the liquid within the space.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-contained, solar powered heating and cooling system for a building. The collector has an insulated heating chamber, and a light transmissive cover and a thermostatically controlled vent. The chamber contains absorptive columns standing on the floor. An internal liquid conduit exposes the liquid to the heat within the chamber. The collector is connected to a remote thermal reservoir such that a liquid circuit and a separate gas circuit both circulate heated fluid to the reservoir. Heat can be stored in any of a liquid reservoir, thermal mass reservoir and gas reservoir. Wind powered generators and photovoltaic cells provide power for the system or other applications. The thermal reservoir has heat exchangers which deliver stored heat to the building or operate a heat operated refrigeration machine (e.g., a liquid absorption chiller). Additional self sustaining power sources may optionally be incorporated into the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for capturing solar energy and transferring it onto a receiving medium to be heated. The device comprises a multiplicity of blades (16), mutually spaced and tiered up to form a screen (10) with an external surface (18) for exposure to the sun radiation and an internal surface (20) for being arranged on the side of the receiving medium (12), the blades defining between them a multiplicity of air channels (22) extending from the external surface (18) to the internal surface (20), closing means being provided for immobilizing the air contained in the channels, the blades being transparent or translucent, with low capacity for absorbing the sun radiation and low thermal conductivity, being made from a lap of thin material, and having an outline with an end part bordering the internal surface of the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for utilizing solar energy includes an outer shell body (11), an inner body (40) inside it, and a hollow body (30) provided in between which are formed in a shape of a uniform polyhedron, in particular a dodecahedron. The shell body (11) and the hollow body (30) are provided with at least one opening (12, 13, 15) for the entrance of solar rays. The shell body (11) is therein disposed above a reflector pan (20) and has a partial polyhedron form, in particular in dodecahedral form. The solar energy concentrated in the shell body (11) is converted and conducted further to a consumer. With this cost-effectively produced apparatus (10) an improved efficiency relative to know apparatus is attained.

Abstract: A combined thermal-insulation/thermal-collector assembly for the outside walls or roofs of buildings has a heat-insulating layer which is transparent to solar radiation and is designed with a transparent structure. The heat-insulating material including a multiplicity of adjacent channels is disposed in essentially the same direction as the flow of heat. The heat-insulating layer is made up of elements which are thin relative to the thickness of the layer. The channels running across the heat-insulating layer are open, have an essentially uniform diameter, and thus form a transparent structure.

Abstract: A diffuser to be used with a solar energy concentrator and a solar energy receiver to more uniformly distribute solar energy to the receiver and to reduce the amount of energy lost due to circulation of air into and out of the receiver. A portion of the solar energy passing through the energy diffusing cavities within the diffuser is reflected by the cavity walls and reoriented and diffused before being emitted to the receiver. The geometry of the energy diffusing cavities and the reflective characteristics of the cavity walls can be engineered to provide the desired degree of diffusional effect. The diffuser reduces the likelihood of inadvertent hot spots being formed, which allows the designed maximum receiver energy flux to be closer to the receiver tube material limits and allows for smaller, more compact, more efficient receivers. The diffuser also limits the circulation of air in the vicinity of the receiver tubes, which reduces energy losses and increases the overall efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A solar heat collecting panel having three stacked compartments enclosed within a frame. A pair of similar spaced apart parallel clear plastic sheets form the top and bottom of the uppermost compartment. The middle compartment is formed by the bottom sheet of the uppermost compartment and a similar parallel spaced apart sheet. A metallic heat absorption sheet lies parallel to the bottom sheet of the uppermost compartment and is spaced between the top and bottom sheets of the middle compartment. The upper side of the metallic sheet is covered with a black coating. The lowermost compartment is formed by the bottom sheet of the middle compartment and a similar parallel spaced apart sheet lying beneath the bottom sheet of the middle compartment. The five sheets of the solar heat collecting panel may be either flat or contour-profiled.

Abstract: The device for collecting solar energy and transferring it to a reception body to be heated includes a plurality of parallel profiled elements and a closure mechanism. The profiled elements are spaced apart and superposed in order to form a curtain having an outer face suitable for being exposed to solar radiation and an inner face suitable for being located on the reception body side. The profiled elements have two reflecting faces and a shape such that when the inner face is vertical, the profiled elements slope downwardly from the inner face to the outer face. The profiled elements define a plurality of air channels directed upwards from the outer face to the inner face when the inner face is vertical. The profiled elements and the two reflecting faces thereof are formed of an insulating material so as not to conduct heat from the outer face to the inner face.