Abstract: A solar heat collecting apparatus wherein a heat-absorbing plate for absorbing the solar radiation is installed in a vacuum vessel, the solar heat accumulated in the heat-absorbing plate is transmitted to a working medium in a pipe connected to the heat-absorbing plate, an upper surface layer for passing the solar radiation irradiated on the heat-absorbing plate therethrough and reflecting the infrared radiation emerging from the heat-absorbing plate is formed on the upper surface of the heat-absorbing plate, a lower surface layer for reflecting the infrared radiation emerging from the heat-absorbing plate is formed on the lower surface of the heat-absorbing plate, a space-diving film is formed between the lower surface of the heat-absorbing plate and the bottom surface of the vacuum vessel, a reflection layer is formed on the bottom surface of the vacuum vessel, a film for passing the solar radiation and reflecting the infrared radiation is provided between the upper surface of the heat-absorbing plate and t

Abstract: A solar cell module according to the present invention includes at least a base material, a first insulating material formed on the base material, a photovoltaic element set including a plurality of photovoltaic elements formed on the first insulating material, and a second insulating material formed on the photovoltaic element set. The base material has an L or W shape. In one embodiment, the base material has an L section shape, and a bent portion is formed in a portion where no photovoltaic element is arrange. In another embodiment, the photovoltaic element set includes a wiring material for electrically connecting the photovoltaic elements, and a bent portion is formed in a portion where the wiring material is arranged. Power generation and heat collection efficiency are increased, and optical deterioration of a non-single-crystal semiconductor are decreased in the present solar cell modules.

Abstract: A coolant sealing structure for a solar cell of which the sealing property is maintained with high reliability in use for a long period. A solar cell has its light receiving surface and a reinforced portion formed around the fringe portion of the light receiving surface. The plate member is joined with the top of the reinforced portion by means of an anode joint process. A transparent member is joined with the plate member to form a coolant passage. This structure allows the solar cell to be directly cooled with the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. Since the solar cell is joined with the plate member, separation does not occur at the joined portion under repeated temperature changes. The coolant sealing structure can be used with high reliability for a long period.

Abstract: Shower apparatus (1) heated by solar apparatus radiation (3) used in open spaces, made of any type of material, and installed in a substantially vertical position, which comprises the structural configuration of the apparatus in addition to act as accumulation container (2) of water heated by sunbeam (3), so that the vertical cylinder (2) made of rigid material is used both as an accumulator storage of hot water and as a carrier structure for the apparatus. The storage cylinder may be coated with a protection cover which avoids the cooling produced by ambient air.

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: A solar energy system having a component comprising a heat absorber which has a tubular conduit. The heat absorber also has a fin for supporting the conduit. The conduit and fin are fabricated of a dark color for collecting solar energy. A housing surrounds the conduit. The housing includes an axially disposed interior member with a cross section greater than the cross section of the conduit. The housing also includes a plurality of axially disposed exterior members. The interior member and the exterior members are fabricated of a transparent material. The invention further includes at least one end cap which is coupled with respect to one end of the interior tube which has at least one aperture in the end cap.

Abstract: A solar absorber assembly (13) having upper and lower connectors (14, 15) between which tubes (16) extend for conveying water to be heated, the tubes (16) being surrounded by a glazing assembly (17) which is supported by the connectors (14, 15). The connectors (14, 15) may be connected with adjacent connectors (14, 15) of adjacent assemblies (13) to form a fence panel (11) which can be supported by posts (12), the fence panel (11) also serving as a security fence for swimming pools.

Abstract: An improved solar energy collector comprising a heat absorber to take in radiant energy and transfer the radiant energy to a heat transfer fluid carried thereby. A transparent jacket is to receive the heat absorber therein. The jacket will allow the radiant energy to pass therethrough and reach the heat absorber. Components are for hermetically sealing the jacket and to form a chamber about the heat absorber. A facility is for allowing the heat transfer fluid to enter and exit from the heat absorber. A structure is for exhausting air out of the chamber, so as to produce a vacuum between the jacket and the heat absorber and to insulate the heat absorber from an external environment.

Abstract: A portable solar heating device is provided comprising an outer housing of transparent synthetic plastics material and a bladder within the outer housing. The bladder is of flexible sheet synthetic plastics material and has an expanded condition when filled with liquid and a collapsed condition when empty. The device has at least one port leading into the bladder, and means for minimising the area over which the bladder contacts the housing when the bladder is in its expanded condition, thereby to leave an airgap between the bladder and the housing over most of the surface area of the bladder.

Abstract: A trough-shaped collector for solar radiation for steam generation. A trough-shaped mirror extending in a longitudinal direction receives and reflects radiation onto an absorber line enclosing within its interior a steam generator tube. Heat is transferred transversely from the absorber line to the steam generator tube by a heat pipe structure.

Abstract: A trough-shaped collector for solar radiation for steam generation. A trough-shaped mirror extending in a longitudinal direction receives and reflects radiation onto an absorber line enclosing within its interior a steam generator tube in which water is heated, vaporized and superheated. Heat is transferred transversely from the absorber line to the steam generator tube by heat pipe segments spaced longitudinally along the absorber line.

Abstract: A radiant gas heating apparatus of the present invention includes a cylindrical member of a porous ceramic material adapted to be heated by radiation, and a flow passageway which directs gas radially through the pores of the ceramic material from one cylindrical surface of the cylindrical member to the other cylindrical surface thereof. A steam electrolyzing apparatus of the present invention includes a light focusing section having a porous ceramic member disposed within a transparent light-receiving section vessel, an electrolyzing cell having an oxygen electrode and a hydrogen electrode disposed on inner and outer surfaces of a cylindrical electrolyte, and a heat-insulating vessel covering the electrolyzing cell. In the steam electrolyzing apparatus, after low-temperature gas has passed through the space between the porous ceramic member and the light-receiving section vessel, the gas passes through the porous ceramic thereby being heated.

Abstract: In a solar collector assembly, one or more absorber tubes are made up of a plurality of discarded metal can bodies in end-to-end relation, one or more collector tubes are made up of a plurality of discarded transparent pop bottles arranged in end-to-end relation to one another and in surrounding relation to the absorber tubes. A blower is positioned in one of the absorber tubes to force air through the absorber tube and through a discharge conduit into a space to be heated.

Abstract: A solar apparatus such as a solar water heater or cooler comprising a cell which is partially transparent to the sun's rays and has an internal section formed by an assembly of two casing which surround one another and define the variable capacity of the absorber as well as various means for supplying, storing and discharging water.

Abstract: A system for heating a fluid (5) conveyed or contained in process equipment (7) comprises a layer of transparent thermal insulation (9) which partly covers the process equipment so that a section (13) is exposed to solar radiation and thus is heated by the solar radiation and thereby heats the fluid (5). The "window" defines a form of thermal diode concentrator in that the surface area of the "window" is great than that of the exposed section (13) of the process equipment (7) and thus the "window" in effect concentrates the solar radiation onto the exposed section (13) of the process equipment, and the transparent thermal insulation (9), albeit transparent, minimises heat loss from the fluid (5).

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method used to preheat a working fluid for a subsequent solar-driven dissociation reaction. The working fluid is first passed through a blackbody receiver where it absorbs thermal energy, and is subsequently exposed to direct solar radiation. The present invention allows the working fluid to absorb relatively large amounts of solar energy at elevated temperatures, while the blackbody absorber remains at a relatively low temperature, thus minimizing energy losses through reradiation and enhancing the efficiency of the overall energy exchange.