Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.

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 retaining clip configured to secure an elongate member to a generally planar panel is described herein. The retaining clip includes a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and an end wall interconnecting the side walls. The side walls define a gap configured to receive the panel. The retaining clip includes further includes a resilient first cantilevered prong projecting into the gap from the first side wall and a resilient second cantilevered prong projecting from into the first gap from the second side wall. Free ends of the first and second prongs are characterized as having a pair of pointed barbs on distal edges of the first and second prongs. The pointed barbs are configured to increase a removal force required to remove the panel from the first gap. A method of forming such a retaining clip is also described.

A fluid distribution system for optimizing consumption of energy is provided comprising: a thermal controller configured to be connected to an external fluid tank containing external fluid having an external fluid temperature adapted to be heated by solar energy, and to an internal fluid tank containing an internal fluid having an internal fluid temperature and a heater adapted to be heated by a non-renewable energy, the thermal controller being configured to be connected to thermostats located at the internal and external tanks for determining the internal fluid temperature and the external fluid temperature; a valve in fluid communication with the internal and external tanks; a fluid controller connected to the thermal controller and to the valve, the fluid controller being configured to operate the valve based on the internal and external fluid temperatures in such a manner to optimize consumption of the non-renewable energy for heating the internal fluid.

A thermal energy storage (TES) bin assembly for a high temperature, particle-based solar power plant, the TES bin assembly including a TES bin for storing hot particles therein and a feeder assembly configured to insert the hot particles inside of the TES bin. The TES bin has a base, a lid separated from the base, and a hollow body extending between the base and the lid. The hollow body is made of a plurality of cylindrically shaped structures. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure defines an interior of the TES bin together with the lid and the base. The innermost cylindrically shaped structure is made with abrasion resistant bricks. A second cylindrically shaped structure is made of an insulating material and surrounds the second structure. A third cylindrically shaped structure surrounds the second structure and includes expansion joints. The base has a funnel shape and the lid has a removable component.

A method of estimating soiling losses is described herein, which according to one implementation includes generating an image of a surface of a solar panel; inputting the image of a surface of the solar panel into a model; analyzing the image of a surface of the solar panel to determine an estimate of soiling losses; and outputting the estimate of soiling losses.

A method of estimating soiling losses is described herein, which according to one implementation includes generating an image of a surface of a solar panel; inputting the image of a surface of the solar panel into a model; analyzing the image of a surface of the solar panel to determine an estimate of soiling losses; and outputting the estimate of soiling losses.

Linear fresnel solar power system which is transportable in a goods container which comprises a number of rows of reflective mirrors (6), an automatic cleaning system (10), a linear receiver (18) and a support structure designed to be assembled on a commercial goods container (1). In turn, the support structure comprises two foldable lateral platforms (2) capable of adopting two fixed positions, a vertical position, wherein all the elements on the platform remain inside the volume of the structure of the container, thereby allowing for the latter to be transported and/or stored using conventional methods, and a horizontal position that allows for the system to operate as a conventional linear fresnel solar collector. The rows of reflective mirrors (6), mounted on mirror-carrying banks (7), and at least two ballast tanks (11), used as excess weight in order to reduce the necessary foundations, are placed on the foldable lateral platforms (2). The automatic cleaning system (10) comprises movement rails (12), along which central stiffeners (16) move. At least one cleaning unit (15) for each row of mirrors (6) is joined to these central stiffeners (16). In turn, the cleaning units (15) comprise an element manufactured with absorbent materials (13), an upper cover (14) and a water supply system. The linear receiver (18) comprises an external casing (4), end supports (3) and intermediate supports (5). In turn, the external casing (4) comprises a transparent cover (23), insulating means (21), a secondary reflective surface (22) and at least one tubular receiver (9).

Provided is a self-propelled robot that can prevent damage due to dropping of the self-propelled robot and efficiently perform the operation on a flat surface. A self-propelled robot 1 that self-travels on a structure SP having a flat surface SF to perform operation on the flat surface SF of the structure SP, the self-propelled robot includes: a robot main body 2 in which a moving unit 4 for the self-travel is provided; and a controller 30 that controls movement of the robot main body 2. At this point, the controller 30 includes an edge detector 31 that detects an end edge of the flat surface SF, and the controller 30 has a function of controlling activation of the moving unit 4 such that a distance between the end edge of the flat surface SF and the moving unit 4 is maintained to a given extent or more based on a signal from the edge detector 31.