The present disclosure includes roof shingle systems. One roof shingle system includes at least two shingles, a shingle clip, a drip edge, and a power collection unit. Each shingle has a semiconductive layer configured to deliver power, electrical current/voltage, and/or control signals to the power collection unit. The shingle clip continues a conductive path between the two shingles. The drip edge is at least partially insulated and partially conductive, and the conductive portion continues the path from the shingle semiconductive layer to the power unit where energy is collected. One method of installing a shingle system includes the steps of positioning a shingle having a transducer in the form of a semiconductive layer, and positioning a shingle clip to engage the semiconductive layer of the shingle.

The present disclosure includes roof shingle systems. One roof shingle system includes at least two shingles, a shingle clip, a drip edge, and a power collection unit. Each shingle has a semiconductive layer configured to deliver power, electrical current/voltage, and/or control signals to the power collection unit. The shingle clip continues a conductive path between the two shingles. The drip edge is at least partially insulated and partially conductive, and the conductive portion continues the path from the shingle semiconductive layer to the power unit where energy is collected. One method of installing a shingle system includes the steps of positioning a shingle having a transducer in the form of a semiconductive layer, and positioning a shingle clip to engage the semiconductive layer of the shingle.

A pump (2) system includes a pump, a sensor (22; 28) arranged in or at a flow path (14), and a concentration measurement device measuring a concentration in liquid inside the flow path (14). The concentration measurement device includes the sensor (22; 28), as a concentration sensor, connected to an evaluation device (26) for evaluating readings of the sensor (22; 28). The evaluation device (26) is connected to a further signal source (20; 24), providing at least one further parameter, and is configured to carry out an evaluation of the reading of the sensor (22; 28), taking into account the further parameter provided by the further signal source (20, 24) to output the concentration in the liquid. A solar heating system includes the pump system.

A pump (2) system includes a pump, a sensor (22; 28) arranged in or at a flow path (14), and a concentration measurement device measuring a concentration in liquid inside the flow path (14). The concentration measurement device includes the sensor (22; 28), as a concentration sensor, connected to an evaluation device (26) for evaluating readings of the sensor (22; 28). The evaluation device (26) is connected to a further signal source (20; 24), providing at least one further parameter, and is configured to carry out an evaluation of the reading of the sensor (22; 28), taking into account the further parameter provided by the further signal source (20, 24) to output the concentration in the liquid. A solar heating system includes the pump system.

The present disclosure includes roof shingle systems. One roof shingle system includes at least two shingles, a shingle clip, a drip edge, and a power collection unit. Each shingle has a semiconductive layer configured to deliver power, electrical current/voltage, and/or control signals to the power collection unit. The shingle clip continues a conductive path between the two shingles. The drip edge is at least partially insulated and partially conductive, and the conductive portion continues the path from the shingle semiconductive layer to the power unit where energy is collected. One method of installing a shingle system includes the steps of positioning a shingle having a transducer in the form of a semiconductive layer, and positioning a shingle clip to engage the semiconductive layer of the shingle.

The present disclosure includes roof shingle systems. One roof shingle system includes at least two shingles, a shingle clip, a drip edge, and a power collection unit. Each shingle has a semiconductive layer configured to deliver power, electrical current/voltage, and/or control signals to the power collection unit. The shingle clip continues a conductive path between the two shingles. The drip edge is at least partially insulated and partially conductive, and the conductive portion continues the path from the shingle semiconductive layer to the power unit where energy is collected. One method of installing a shingle system includes the steps of positioning a shingle having a transducer in the form of a semiconductive layer, and positioning a shingle clip to engage the semiconductive layer of the shingle.

Described herein are solar reflectors which provide a low cost reflector construction that has a unique set of attributes: high solar reflectance, abrasion resistance, UV stability, mechanical integrity, and flexibility. The abrasion resistance is enabled through incorporation of an abrasion-resistant coating into a polymer film metal mirror construction. Methods of using the solar reflectors in solar concentrating applications are also provided.

The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is compacted by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior. Two complementary half-cases, each compacted, are (re)attached to form a portable case.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a receiver for receiving radiation from a heliostat array that includes at least one external panel configured to form an internal cavity and an open face. The open face is positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and forms an entrance to the internal cavity. The receiver also includes at least one internal panel positioned within the cavity and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the at least one internal panel includes at least one channel configured to distribute a heat transfer medium.

A Salinity Gradient Solar Pond (SGSP) has saturated salt water in the bottom zone of the pond and nearly fresh water at the top zone, with a gradient zone between the top and bottom. Due to this salinity stratification the upward diffusion of salt is a natural consequence in SGSP's. Controlling the salinity gradient in SGSP systems is vital to their reliable operation. The method for controlling the salinity gradient disclosed in this application, coined the Pond Rolling Method by the authors, rapidly drains the pond's non-gradient zones, refurbishes the gradient, and restores the non-gradient zones of the SGSP system, in a manner that minimizes land use, water and heat loss. The salt in the pond is allowed to diffuse upward over time and, on condition as needed to restore the gradient, the Pond Rolling Method is used to completely rebuild the gradient and the SGSP zones.