Abstract: Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting solar panels include a curb assembly coupled to a top surface of a roof. An end of a solar panel rests on a portion of the assembly. An astragal is located with a portion of the astragal extending over the edge of the solar panel. A fastener is engaged through the astragal and the curb assembly such that a portion of the astragal contacts and compressively engages the top surface of the supported solar panel edge, whereby the solar panel is mounted to the roof.

Abstract: A glass decking assembly for securing a pair of adjacent glass panels, each having an outer edge and an inner edge, to a building structure, using a pair of outer framing members and an intermediate framing member that secures to the building structure with fasteners. A pair of outer setting blocks and an inner setting block covers the fasteners, attaches to the outer framing members and the inner framing member, and supports the adjacent glass panels with the outer edges supported by the outer setting blocks on the outer framing members and the inner edges supported by the intermediate setting block on the intermediate framing member. A lighting channel in the outer framing member facilitates edge lighting the glass panels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an energy supplying device intended to be used for energy collecting, energy transfer and energy release, but also for cooling and storing of energy, said energy supplying device (1) consists of at least three elongated profiles (3), which comprise a number of walls (2?, 2?) delimiting in the same elongated cavities (2), produced by extruding in a direction of extrusion (4) by aid of a tool, said cavities (2) provide space for a medium (5) such as gas or liquid to circulate or to be stored in said cavities (2) or a hose or a tube (9) located in these.

Abstract: A solar collector has a polygonal top panel forming a top face and having at least three edges, a similarly polygonal bottom panel forming a bottom face directed away from the top face and fitted congruently to the top panel to form a flow passage extending between the faces, and at least four connectors projecting from at least three of the edges.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system and method suitable for hot water generation using solar energy. The system includes multiport tubes between inlet and outlet manifolds. The tubes are formed of a metallic material, each tube has oppositely-disposed first and second flat surfaces between lateral edges thereof, longitudinally-opposed first and second ends, and multiple fluid channels between the first and second ends that are in fluidic parallel to each other. The inlet and outlet manifolds are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubes so that chambers within the inlet and outlet manifolds are fluidically connected to the fluid channels of the multiport tubes. During operation of the system, a fluid flowing through the fluid channels of the tubes is heated by direct solar radiation impinging the first flat surfaces of the tubes and optionally by reflected solar radiation impinging the second flat surfaces of the tubes.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided that is formed from relatively thin polymer sheet(s). The sheet(s) are welded together to integrally define a storage tank, a plurality of fluid flow channel (e.g. risers), and other desired features within the collector. The storage tank is located at a first end of the panel and a heat exchanger is provided within the storage tank. The heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat from the storage tank to a target fluid (such as water) that is to be heated or preheated by the collector. The collector is arranged so that when it is installed, the collector may be positioned with the storage tank located generally above the fluid flow channels. The storage tank and the fluid flow channels are arranged such that when the collector is installed and filled with a working fluid, a thermosiphon effect will cause the collection of hot water within the storage tank.

Abstract: A solar panel includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold spaced apart from the inlet manifold, and a plurality of pipes having a first end in open fluid communication with the inlet manifold and a second end in open fluid communication with the outlet manifold. A box-shaped cover formed of a polycarbonate material is disposed in ensleeving relation to the plurality of pipes. The box-shaped cover has a length at least slightly less than the distance between the inlet and outlet manifolds so that opposite ends of pipes in the plurality of pipes are exposed to ambient. The cover substantially prevents ventilation of the plurality of pipes and thus allows water temperatures in the panel to rise higher than possible in the absence of such cover. The exposure of the opposite ends of the pipes to ambient prevents water temperatures in the panel from exceeding a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A solar air conditioner includes an inlet assembly (20), an outlet assembly (30), a solar collector assembly (10), and a plurality of connecting assemblies (14) connecting the solar collectors, and the inlet and the outlet assemblies together. The solar collector assembly includes a plurality of solar collectors (12). Each of the solar collectors has a bottom plate (124), a heat-absorbing unit (123) mounted on the bottom plate, and a transparent panel (121) positioned on the heat-absorbing unit. The heat-absorbing unit divides an inner space of the solar collector into an upper heat-storage cavity (125) and a lower heat-absorbing cavity (125). The inlet and outlet assemblies seal two ends of the upper heat-storage cavity and communicate with two ends of the lower heat-absorbing cavity.

Abstract: A solar collector plate (2) has a solar radiation receiving front absorber plane (3) that is wiped at its rear side by a cooling liquid (4) flowing in channels (5). Cavities (7), preferably behind the channels (5) and integrated in the solar collector plate (2), and that can be closed off by the very liquid flow (4), provide a closed air volume that gives a dampening effect regarding kickbacks and pressure transients in the liquid (4).

Abstract: A roofing panel (13) incorporating a heat exchange assembly is described, the roofing panel including: an internal fluid passageway (51) formed between a pair of spaced substantially parallel internal sheets (16, 17) for the passage therethrough of a fluid; respective external passageways (52, 53) formed between each internal sheet and a respective external sheet (21, 20) spaced from and substantially parallel to a respective internal sheet, and spacing ribs (18, 22, 24) between the sheets and forming with the sheets a plurality of fluid conduits (19) within the fluid passageway and a plurality of external conduits (23, 25) within the external passageways; wherein the panel is sealed at the sides thereof by the spacing ribs and is open at the ends thereof to provide access to the conduits which extend from one end of the panel to the other end thereof.

Abstract: A solar collector has a first plate for collecting solar energy, a second plate wherein there is an intermediate space between the two plates, and a quantity of liquid which is present between the plates for absorbing the energy collected by the first plate. The solar collector has a framework for fixing the plates at a mutual distance along the edges thereof so as to seal the space between the plates and to create space between the plates which comprises the liquid.

Abstract: In order to provide an insulation system for internal thermal insulation of a pressure chamber which can be subjected to pressure by a gas flow, the system being constructed for arrangement at an inner surface of an outer jacket of the pressure chamber and comprising at least one layer of insulating material, whereby good thermal insulation can be obtained with little maintenance work, it is proposed that the insulation system should comprise means for equalizing pressure between the insulating material and an internal chamber, which means are arranged over a large area relative to a surface of a layer of insulating material.

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: A solar collector consists of extruded hollow metal sections in two layers joined together by parallel longitudinal webs, in which the open ends of the hollow sections are connected together in such a way that the heat carrier flows sinuously through said sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy water heating apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a solar panel having a plurality of channels through which the water flows. Each channel has a top lens portion which focuses and intensifies the light energy of the sun on the water. This allows the water to be heated in a more efficient and effective manner. An end cap is coupled to each end of the solar panel. The end caps prevent the water from leaking out of the solar panel. A nozzle is coupled to the end cap which allows the water to enter the apparatus and exit the solar panel once the water has been heated.

Abstract: A solar thermal cell must include such a means of stopping solar radiation that no radiation is reemitted. Known art black, heat-binding absorbing surfaces are of this kind. The collecting of solar radiation energy should take place using a liquid jacket covering the entire southfacing pane of the roof, the said liquid jacket being implemented by means of a relatively inexpensive, well-sealed structure that should also be capable of withstanding strains such as that caused by snow.Underneath solar thermal cell's intermediate spaces (5) for the heatcollecting liquid, there is a dark-surfaced mineral wool board (1) stopping solar radiation. The intermediate space (5) may be located between two light-admitting membranes (2 and 3) and overlying there may be a light-admitting sheet of corrugated fiberglass (4). Between the membranes (2 and 3) or equivalent there may be ridges (6) forming intermediate spaces (5) between the mebranes (2 and 3). The intermediate spaces (5) may be arranged in tiers; e.g.