Abstract: A system and method for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system is described. In some examples, the system collects thermal energy using a solar collector, warms ocean water located within the solar collector, and provides the warmed water to an OTEC system, such as to a vaporizer of a heat engine. In some examples, the OTEC system provides electricity and other energy to another system, creating a cycle of sustainable economic development of energy and resources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a housing and mounting assembly for a skylight module, and particularly for a skylight module that incorporates an energy management system. The housing and mounting assembly is configured to efficiently capture both direct solar and diffuse ambient light, and deliver light that is diffuse to the space below the skylight that provides even illumination and no unpleasant glare spots. The walls of the skylight module may be formed of multi-wall polycarbonate panels configured to redirect both the upward- and downward-shining light through the aperture into the space below. Moreover, the curb of the assembly may include a flexible flashing strip provided with a reflective coating configured to reflect sunlight upward through the walls of the assembly and into the skylight module, such that the advantages of collecting and using such reflected light can be achieved even in a retrofit installation on a non-reflective roofing surface.

Abstract: To provide a coating composition for back coating, by which, in a solar heat-collecting reflector, a cured coating film layer excellent in durability such as heat resistance or water resistance and excellent in weather resistance, scratch resistance and impact resistance, can be formed, and a solar heat-collecting reflector having such a cured coating film layer. A coating composition for back coating to be used for the production of a solar heat-collecting reflector, which comprises a fluoropolymer (A) having units (A1) derived from a fluoroolefin and units (A2) having a crosslinkable group. A solar heat-collecting reflector having a cured coating film layer formed by the coating composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to solar engineering. The solar collector, which comprises a closed enclosure and an absorber 5 with channels for a liquid heat carrier, is designed in the form of a cylindrical portion having radius R1 and an axis coinciding with the axis of the central cylindrical portion 1 of the enclosure. The absorber 5 consists of thin-walled, interconnected modules. The modules are provided with bulges on the rear side thereof, in which channels with slots are made for arranging pipes forming heat-carrier flowing channels. In addition, the absorber can be designed in the form of a storage tank. The shape of the collector is optimized in such a way that the axes of the two lateral cylindrical portions 2 thereof are remote at distance L and the central cylindrical portion 1 is as remote as possible from a plane 3 tangential to the lateral cylindrical portions 2 at a distance H having the defined ratio of geometric parameters.

Abstract: A solar panel has a plurality of heat collecting manifold, a water inlet tube and a water outlet tube that are formed as one body by plastic molding, so that the heat collecting manifold can be vertically arranged between the water inlet tube and water outlet tube, and connected therewith. The solar panel is also formed as one body by plastic molding, so a rib piece can be used to connect between the collecting manifold. In one embodiment, when the collecting manifold of the solar panel is formed, every sectional surface of the collecting manifold can be formed as hexagonal or octagonal, so every sectional surface thereof can be used as a force-receiving portion. Also, one side of the rib piece has a recessed portion to enable the other side thereof to relatively protrude to form a resilient portion, and the recessed portion and resilient portion are all V-shaped.

Abstract: A solar heater for space heating is formed by a frame that provides structural support for a plate that absorbs sunlight. In one aspect, the plate is directly molded into the frame. In another aspect, the plate is incorporated into an assembly which is then sealed to the frame. The solar heater is configured such that multiple similarly configured solar heaters may be coupled together in a series and/or parallel arrangement.

Abstract: A solar collector (1) includes two panels (2, 3) of which at least one panel (2) can be designed as a solar module, wherein the panels (2, 3) are connected to each other and held spaced apart from each other by webs (5) that are distributed over the surface of the solar collector (1). The webs (5) between the panels (2, 3) of the solar collector (1) are arranged in such a manner that the interior space (4) is divided to form a flow path, which can be achieved as a result of the fact that the webs (5) start alternately from one edge (9, 10) of the solar collector (1) and are spaced from the opposite edge (10, 9). The webs (5) are strips that are connected via plastic strands (12) to the inner faces of the panels (2 and 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar element with solar cell carrier, frame and temperature control device, in which, in order to be simply producible, the temperature control device is an integral part of the frame. The invention relates furthermore to a method for the production of such solar element as well as the use of same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid heating system, wherein the fluid is capable of being heated by means of solar energy, the fluid heating system including:—an outer housing;—an inner housing contained within the outer housing and including an absorbent material core located within the inner housing to define a flow passage between it and the walls of the inner housing; the absorbent material core being suitable for absorbing solar energy transmitted through the outer and inner housings; and—wherein the outer housing; inner housing; and the absorbent material core are arranged such that solar energy is transferred through the fluid in the flow passage before being absorbed by the absorbent material core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar element with solar cell carrier, frame and temperature control device, in which, in order to be simply producible, the temperature control device is an integral part of the frame. The invention relates furthermore to a method for the production of such solar element as well as the use of same.

Abstract: A solar panel, through which a fluid is circulated, includes a transparent central panel, with a number of channels extending through the panel from one end to another. A manifold is attached to each end of the transparent central panel so that distributing chambers within the manifolds direct the fluid to move between adjacent channels within the central panel. The solar panel additionally includes a transparent support structure above the central panel and a lower support structure below the panel. Dark, opaque material below the central panel absorbs heat and warms the fluid.

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: The invention relates to a solar collector, comprising: a cover layer to be directed toward the incident solar radiation; a system of tubes which is thermally coupled to the cover layer and through which heat transfer medium, in particular liquid such as water, can flow between a feed connection and a discharge connection; a substantially form-stiff carrier layer supporting the tube system and the cover later. The solar collector according to the invention has the special feature that: the cover layer consists of a weather-resistant plastic roof-covering foil; the tubes consist at least partially of a plastic material welded fixedly to the cover layer; the carrier layer is provided with recesses in which the tube system is accommodated.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising an evacuation envelope; an absorber housed inside the evacuated envelope and comprising plates which define an evaporation gap, the evaporation gap providing communication between a reservoir of heat transfer fluid at a first, bottom end of the absorber and a condenser at a second, top end of the absorber. The plates define the evaporation gap so that capillary action between the plates can draw heat transfer fluid from the reservoir along at least a substantial portion of the evaporation gap to the condensor. The absorber transfers heat derived from the incident solar radiation to heat transfer fluid contained in the evaporation gap.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photoelectric transfer device which comprises a photoelectric transfer element, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer and an ultraviolet cut-off layer, said cholesteric liquid crystal layer being arranged between said photoelectric transfer element and said ultraviolet cut-off layer and said ultraviolet cut-off layer being arranged at the side for the incidence of light. According to this invention, there is provided a colorful photoelectric transfer device which is prepared at an inexpensive cost without a marked decrease in the generation efficiency of the photoelectric transfer element and is fit to be used over a prolonged period.

Abstract: A solar panel (FIG. 7) comprises an extruded plastics matrix (20) comprising a plurality of side-by-side compartments each of which provides an actual fluid-flow channel without the need for providing separate metal pipework. Each compartment may include a filler (62) to define a fluid-flow channel between the upper surface of the filler and the lower surface of a membrane (28) of the matrix. The provision of the filler (62) is optional and the cross section of each compartment may be optimized to the fluid-flow channel size requirements. At least part of a surface of each fluid-flow channel has a covering comprising a solar radiation absorber; for example, the absorber may comprise a channel-shaped foil (72) which exhibits high absorbence of solar energy together with low emittance of infra-red radiation.