A solar window system for a building is provided. The solar window system includes multiple heat generation encasements. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. The solar window system further includes a storage tank for storing heat from the heated air. The solar window system also includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank.

A recoverable and renewable heat recovery system includes a variable speed inverter compressor in fluid connection with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger via a fluid circuit. The system further includes a solar thermal collection module positioned on top of the compressor and in fluid communication with the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger via the fluid circuit. A light intensity sensor is configured to determine light intensity on the solar thermal collection module. The solar thermal collection module is configured to retain solar energy thermal energy to increase fluid pressure in the compressor.

A solar powered boiler assembly for producing steam with solar energy includes a bowl that is positioned in the ground. A boiler is positioned in the bowl and the boiler has a fluid therein. A dome is removably positioned on the bowl. A plurality of lenses each extends through the dome such that each of the lenses is exposed to sunlight. Each of the lenses focuses the sunlight onto the boiler to heat the boiler. In this way the boiler produces steam by heating the fluid therein. A reflector is coupled to the dome and the reflector is comprised of a light reflecting material for reflecting sunlight onto the lenses.

A fluidic actuator comprises a chamber. The chamber is provided using a mass manufacturing technique. The chamber is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis. The chamber allows a volume change by localized bending of a chamber wall.

A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation into the outer surface of a concrete wall. The heat transfer device makes use of a fluid in a tube system to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

The invention relates to a solar power system and method of monitoring a solar power system. The system comprises one or more stationary solar energy modules supported by a support structure, at least one sensor connected to at least one of the stationary solar energy modules or to the support structure for providing measurement data, and a data transfer unit (16) functionally connected to the sensor for receiving the measurement data and adapted to transmit said measurement data to data analysis unit. According to the invention, the at least one sensor is an acceleration sensor adapted to measure acceleration of said at least one stationary solar energy module or the support structure as the measurement data. The invention allows for detecting mechanical failures caused by environmental factors, for example, in stationary solar power plants at an early stage.

A concentrator and a solar light router for converting light energy into electrical, photochemical and thermal energy, among other possible forms of usable energy, comprising a fixed body (1) and a movable part (2), wherein the fixed body (1) has an upper side with a converging lens (4) through which the sun rays (R1) enter, and a lower side where a mirror (5) is arranged. The mobile part 2 has a support arm 7 having a lower leg 8 coupled to a movement unit 10, and an upper leg 9 extending above the converging lens 4, in which is displaceable mounted a module (11) receptor/router of convergent solar rays (R4) that emerges from the fixed body (1). The support (7) is connected to angular displacement means housed in the movement unit (10) so that the angle traveled by its arm (9) encompasses a virtual surface (17), defined between the converging lens (4) and the module (11), where a focal point (19) incise of the convergent rays (R4), that travels according to the curvilinear paths (18n) in accordance with the displacement of the sunlight captured by the converging lens (4). The module (11) presents a lower face (13) through which the converging solar rays (R4) enters, and an upper face (14) from which concentrated solar rays (R5) are emitted which are directed, for example, towards a solar energy converter receiver (20) arranged in a tower (T) spaced from the device. The module (11) is connected to translation means along the upper section (9) of the support (7) and to rotating means with respect to its axis (E1) transverse to the defined plane by the converging lens (4) and includes means detecting the positions of the focal point (19), which together with the angular arm displacement means (7) and the translational and rotational means of the module (11) are connected to a module position control and control unit (11) to maintain it facing the focal point (19) and facing the receiver/solar energy converter (20) of the tower (T). In an alternate realization, the module (11) may act as a solar energy receiver/converter, for which it may include solar cells, a thermoelectric motor, or other solar energy converters.

A concentrator and a solar light router for converting light energy into electrical, photochemical and thermal energy, among other possible forms of usable energy, comprising a fixed body (1) and a movable part (2), wherein the fixed body (1) has an upper side with a converging lens (4) through which the sun rays (R1) enter, and a lower side where a mirror (5) is arranged. The mobile part 2 has a support arm 7 having a lower leg 8 coupled to a movement unit 10, and an upper leg 9 extending above the converging lens 4, in which is displaceable mounted a module (11) receptor/router of convergent solar rays (R4) that emerges from the fixed body (1). The support (7) is connected to angular displacement means housed in the movement unit (10) so that the angle traveled by its arm (9) encompasses a virtual surface (17), defined between the converging lens (4) and the module (11), where a focal point (19) incise of the convergent rays (R4), that travels according to the curvilinear paths (18n) in accordance with the displacement of the sunlight captured by the converging lens (4). The module (11) presents a lower face (13) through which the converging solar rays (R4) enters, and an upper face (14) from which concentrated solar rays (R5) are emitted which are directed, for example, towards a solar energy converter receiver (20) arranged in a tower (T) spaced from the device. The module (11) is connected to translation means along the upper section (9) of the support (7) and to rotating means with respect to its axis (E1) transverse to the defined plane by the converging lens (4) and includes means detecting the positions of the focal point (19), which together with the angular arm displacement means (7) and the translational and rotational means of the module (11) are connected to a module position control and control unit (11) to maintain it facing the focal point (19) and facing the receiver/solar energy converter (20) of the tower (T). In an alternate realization, the module (11) may act as a solar energy receiver/converter, for which it may include solar cells, a thermoelectric motor, or other solar energy converters.

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.

A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.